Process for trans-6-[2-(substituted-pyrrol-1-yl)alkyl]pyran-2-one inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis

ABSTRACT

An improved process for the preparation of trans-6-[2-(substituted-pyrrol-1-yl)alkyl]pyran-2-ones by a novel synthesis is described where 1,6-heptadien-4-ol is converted in eight operations to the desired products, as well as an improved process for the preparation of (2R-trans) and trans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide by a novel synthesis where 4-methyl-3-oxo-N-phenylpentanamide is converted in eight operations to the desired product or alternatively 4-fluoro-α-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-Y-oxo-N,β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamide is converted in one step to the desired product, and additionally, a process for preparing (2R-trans)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide from (R)-4-cyano-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]butanoic acid, as well as other valuable intermediates used in the processes.

This is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 08/018,481 filed Feb.16, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,047, which is a divisional applicationof U.S. Ser. No. 07/891,602 filed Jun. 1, 1992, which application willissue as U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,174 on Jun. 1, 1993, which is a divisionalapplication of U.S. Ser. No. 07/834,443, filed Feb. 12, 1992, whichapplication issued Sep. 22, 1992, as U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,837, which is adivisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 07/792,311, filed Nov. 4, 1991,which application issued Jun. 23, 1992, as U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,482,which is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 07/595,461, filedOct. 9, 1990, which application issued Mar. 17, 1992, as U.S. Pat. No.5,097,045, which is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No.07,303,733, filed Feb. 1, 1989, which application issued Mar. 26, 1991,as U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,080, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser.No. 07/158,439, filed Feb. 22, 1988, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,576, which is herein incorporated by reference,discloses certaintrans-6-[2-(substituted-pyrrol-1-yl)alkyl]-pyran-2-ones.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,893, which is herein incorporated by reference,discloses certain trans-6- [2-(3- or 4-carboxamido-substitutedpyrrol-1-yl)alkyl]-4-hydroxy-pyran-2-ones.

The compounds disclosed in the above United States patents are useful asinhibitors of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylgutaryl-coenzyme A reductase(HMG-CoA reductase) and are thus useful hypolipidemic andhypocholesterolemic agents. Particularly valuable as hypolipidemic andhypocholesterolemic agents are trans(±)5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamideand(2R-trans)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide.The aforementioned

compounds have been prepared by a linear synthetic route which employedtwo reactions conducted at low temperatures (-78° C.) under carefullycontrolled conditions. The two reactions included the addition of thedianion of ethyl acetoacetate to an aldehyde and the reduction of thehydroxy ketone produced in this reaction with sodium borohydride and atrialkylborane. Although these reactions provide the target compounds inhigh diastereomeric excess, they are difficult to conduct on large-scaleand use expensive reagents which are difficult to handle. They also donot produce enantiomerically pure products. The materials produced bythe earlier methods can be separated into enantiomerically pure productsbut the process is very expensive, time-consuming, and results in theloss of more than 50% of the starting material.

The object of the present invention is an improved process for preparingthe compounds described above by using a novel synthesis.

Further, we have unexpectedly found that the particularly valuablehypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic agentstrans(±)5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamideand(2R-trans)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamidecan be prepared from a novel intermediate in fewer steps and higheryields than the previous methods. Moreover, the present method proceedsfrom inexpensive starting materials and is amenable to large-scalesynthesis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention is an improvedprocess for the preparation of a compound of Formula I ##STR1## and adihydroxy acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof,corresponding to the opened lactone ring of a compound of Formula Iwherein

R₁ is

1-naphthyl,

2-naphthyl,

cyclohexyl,

cyclohexylmethyl,

norbornenyl,

phenyl,

phenyl substituted with

fluorine,

chlorine,

bromine,

hydroxyl,

trifluoromethyl,

alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms,

alkoxy of from one to four carbon atoms, or

alkanoyloxy of from two to eight carbon atoms,

benzyl,

2-, 3-, or 4-pyridinyl, or

2-, 3-, or 4-pyridinyl-N-oxide;

R₂ or R₃ is independently

hydrogen,

alkyl of from one to six carbon atoms,

cyclopropyl,

cyclobutyl,

cyclopentyl,

cyclohexyl,

phenyl,

phenyl substituted with

fluorine,

chlorine,

bromine,

hydroxyl,

trifluoromethyl,

alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms, or

alkoxy of from one to four carbon atoms,

cyano,

trifluoromethyl, or --CONR₅ R₆ where R₅ and R₆ are independently

hydrogen,

alkyl of from one to six carbon atoms,

phenyl,

phenyl substituted with

fluorine,

chlorine,

bromine,

cyano, or

trifluoromethyl;

R₄ is

alkyl of from one to six carbon atoms,

cyclopropyl,

cyclobutyl,

cyclopentyl,

cyclohexyl, or

trifluoromethyl;

which comprises:

(a) reacting 1,6-heptadien-4-ol with an

(1) alkyl lithium

(2) followed by iodine and carbon dioxide and

(3) treating the resulting iodocarbonate intermediate in situ with abase in an aqueous alcohol at about 0° C. to about 40° C. to afford acompound of Formula IX; ##STR2##

(b) treating the compound of Formula IX with

(1) an alkali cyanide at about 0° C. to about 40° C. and

(2) reacting the resulting diol intermediate in situ with aketal-forming reagent in the presence of an acid to afford a compound ofFormula VIII ##STR3## wherein R₇ and R₈ are independently hydrogen,alkyl of from one to three carbon atoms, phenyl or R₇ and R₈ takentogether as --(CH₂)_(n) --, wherein n is 4 or 5;

(c) treating the compound of Formula VIII with

(1) ozone in an inert solvent and

(2) reacting the resulting intermediate in situ with oxygen andtriphenylphosphine at about -20° C. to about -78° C. to afford acompound of Formula VII ##STR4## wherein R₇ and R₈ are as defined above;

(d) treating the compound of Formula VII with an oxidizing reagent atabout 0° C. to afford a compound of Formula VI ##STR5## wherein R₇ andR₈ are as defined above;

(e) treating the compound of Formula VI with a compound of Formula

    Hal--R.sub.9.sbsb.a

wherein Hal is halogen and R₉.sbsb.a is alkyl of from one to eightcarbon atoms or a three- to six-membered cycloalkyl group, in thepresence of a base to afford a compound of Formula V_(a) ##STR6##wherein R₇, R₈, and R₉.sbsb.a are as defined above; or treating thecompound of Formula VI with a compound of Formula

    HO--R.sub.9 b

wherein R₉.sbsb.b is tertiary butyl, tertiary amyl, or α,α-dimethylbenzyl in the presence of an activating agent, a catalyticamount of a base and an inert solvent to afford a compound of FormulaV_(b) ##STR7## wherein R₇, R₈, and R₉.sbsb.b are as defined above;

(f) treating the compound of Formula V_(a) with hydrogen in the presenceof a catalyst and an acid at about 0° C. to about 70° C. to afford acompound of Formula IV_(a) ##STR8## wherein R₇, R₈, and R₉.sbsb.b are asdefined above, or treating the compound of Formula V_(b) with hydrogenin the presence of a catalyst and an acid or a catalyst and a base atabout 0° C. to about 70° C. to afford a compound of Formula IV_(b)##STR9## wherein R₇, R₈, and R₉.sbsb.b are as defined above;

(g) treating the compound of Formula IV_(a) with a compound of FormulaIII ##STR10## wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are as defined above in aninert solvent to afford a compound of Formula II_(a) ##STR11## whereinR₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₇, R₈ and R₉.sbsb.a are as defined above, or treatingthe compound of Formula IV_(b) with a compound of Formula III in aninert solvent to afford a compound of Formula II_(b) ##STR12## whereinR₁, R₂, R₃, R₄ R₇, R₈ and R₉.sbsb.b are as defined above;

(h) and finally treating a compound of Formula II_(a) with

(1) an acid in the presence of an inert solvent

(2) followed by hydrolysis with a base

(3) followed by neutralization with an acid and

(4) dissolution and/or heating in an inert solvent with concomitantremoval of water to give a compound of Formula I,

or treating a compound of Formula II_(b) with

(1) an acid in the presence of an inert solvent

(2) followed by addition of a base

(3) followed by neutralization with an acid and

(4) dissolution and/or heating in an inert solvent with concomitantremoval of water to give a compound of Formula I;

(i) and if desired converting the resulting compound of Formula I to adihydroxy acid corresponding to the opened lactone ring of structuralFormula I by conventional hydrolysis and further, if desired convertingthe dihydroxy acid to a corresponding pharmaceutically acceptable saltby conventional means, and if so desired converting the correspondingpharmaceutically acceptable salt to a dihydroxy acid by conventionalmeans, and if so desired converting the dihydroxy acid to a compound ofFormula I by heating in an inert solvent.

A second aspect of the present invention is an improved process for thepreparation of the compound of Formula I_(a) ##STR13## and the hydroxyacid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, corresponding to theopened lactone ring of the compound of Formula I_(a) which comprises:

(a) reacting the compound of Formula XVII ##STR14## with a compound ofFormula ##STR15## wherein R₇ and R₈ are independently hydrogen, alkyl offrom one to three carbon atoms, phenyl or R₇ and R₈ are taken togetheras --(CH₂)_(n) -- wherein n is 4 or 5 and R₁₃ is hydrogen or ##STR16##in an inert solvent and treating the resulting intermediate with an acidto afford the compound of Formula I_(a)

(b) and if desired, converting the resulting compound of Formula I_(a)to a hydroxy acid corresponding to the opened lactone ring of structuralFormula I_(a) by conventional hydrolysis and further, if desired,converting the hydroxy acid to a corresponding pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt by conventional means, and if so desired, converting thehydroxy acid to a compound of Formula I_(a) by dissolution and/or in aninert solvent with concomitant removal of water.

A third aspect of the present invention is an improved process for thepreparation of the compound of Formula I_(a) ##STR17## and the hydroxyacid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, corresponding to theopened lactone ring of the compound of Formula I_(a) which comprises

(a) reacting 4-methyl-3-oxo-N-phenylpentanamide with benzaldehyde in thepresence of a catalyst and an inert solvent to afford the compounds ofFormula XVIII ##STR18##

(b) reacting the compounds of Formula XVIII with 4-fluorobenzaldehyde inthe presence of a catalyst, a base, and an inert solvent to afford thecompound of Formula XVII ##STR19##

(c) reacting the compound of Formula XVII with a compound of Formula##STR20## wherein R₁₀ and R₁₁ are alkyl of ,one to eight carbon atoms orR₁₀ and R₁₁ together are ##STR21## --CH₂ --CH₂ -- or --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂-- in the presence of a catalyst and an inert solvent to afford acompound of Formula XVI ##STR22## wherein R₁₀ and R₁₁ are alkyl of oneto eight carbon atoms or R₁₀ and R₁₁ together are ##STR23## --CH₂ CH₂ --or --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --,

(d) and finally converting a compound of Formula XVI in a conventionalmanner to afford a compound of Formula I_(a),

(e) and if desired, converting the resulting compound of Formula I_(a)to a hydroxy acid corresponding to the opened lactone ring of structuralFormula I_(a) by conventional hydrolysis and further, if desired,converting the hydroxy acid to a corresponding pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt by conventional means, and if so desired, converting thehydroxy acid to a compound of Formula I_(a) by dissolution and/orheating in an inert solvent with concomitant removal of water.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a novel intermediate ofFormula II ##STR24## wherein R₉ is alkyl of from one to eight carbonatoms, a three to six-membered cycloalkyl group or α,α-dimethylbenzyland R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₇, and R₈ are as defined above, which is useful inthe preparation of inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis of Formula I.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a novel intermediate ofFormula XVI ##STR25## wherein R₁₀ and R₁₁ are alkyl of one to eightcarbon atoms or R₁₀ and R₁₁ together are ##STR26## or --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ --which is useful in the preparation of the inhibitor of cholesterolbiosynthesis of Formula I_(a).

A sixth aspect of the present invention is a novel intermediate ofFormula I ##STR27## wherein R₇, R₈, and R₉ are as defined above, whichis useful in the preparation of a compound of Formula II, which in turnis useful in the preparation of inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesisof Formula I.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a novel intermediate ofFormula XXI ##STR28## wherein R₇ and R₈ are independently hydrogen,alkyl of from one to three carbon atoms, phenyl or R₇ and R₈ are takentogether as --(CH₂)_(n) --, wherein n is 4 or 5, which is useful in thepreparation of the inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis of FormulaI_(a).

An eighth aspect of the present invention is a novel intermediate ofFormula V ##STR29## wherein R₇, R₈, and R₉ are as defined above, whichis useful in the preparation of a compound of Formula IV, which in turnis useful in the preparation of a compound of Formula II, which in turnis useful in the preparation of inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesisof Formula I.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is a novel intermediate ofFormula VI ##STR30## wherein R₇ and R₈ are as defined above, which isuseful in the preparation of a compound of Formula V, which in turn isuseful in the preparation of a compound of Formula IV, which in turn isuseful in the preparation of a compound of Formula II, which in turn isuseful in the preparation of inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis ofFormula I.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is a novel intermediate ofFormula VII ##STR31## wherein R₇ and R₈ are as defined above, which isuseful in the preparation of a compound of Formula VI, which in turn isuseful in the preparation of a compound of Formula V, which in turn isuseful in the preparation of a compound of Formula IV, which in turn isuseful in the preparation of a compound of Formula II, which in turn isuseful in the preparation of inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis ofFormula I.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a novel intermediate ofFormula VIII ##STR32## wherein R₇ and R₈ are as defined above, which isuseful in the preparation of a compound of Formula VII, which in turn isuseful in the preparation of a compound of Formula VI, which in turn isuseful in the preparation of a compound of Formula V, which in turn isuseful in the preparation of a compound of Formula IV, which in turn isuseful in the preparation of a compound of Formula II, which in turn isuseful in the preparation of inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis ofFormula I.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the novel intermediate ofFormula XVII ##STR33## which is useful in the preparation of a compoundof Formula XVI, which in turn is useful in the preparation of theinhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis of Formula I_(a).

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the novel intermediatesof Formula XVIII ##STR34## which are useful in the preparation of thecompound of Formula XVII, which, in turn, is useful in the preparationof a compound of Formula XVI, which, in turn, is useful in thepreparation of the inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis of FormulaI_(a).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this invention, the term "alkyl" means a straight or branchedhydrocarbon group having from one to eight carbon atoms and includes,for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl,tertiary-butyl, n-pentyl, tertiary-amyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, andthe like.

"Cycloalkyl" refers to a three- to six-membered saturated hydrocarbonring and includes, for example, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, andthe like.

"Alkoxy" is O-alkyl in which alkyl is as defined above.

"Alkanoyloxy" is an alkyl group, as defined above, attached to acarbonyl group and thence, through an oxygen atom, to the parentmolecular residue.

"Carboalkoxy" is an alkyl group, as defined above, attached to an oxygenatom and thence, through a carbonyl group, to the parent molecularresidue.

"Norbornenyl" is a group derived by the removal of a hydrogen atom(other than at a bridgehead carbon atom) from bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene.

"Halogen" is iodine, bromine, and chlorine.

"Alkali metal" is a metal in Group IA of the periodic table andincludes, for example, lithium, sodium, potassium, and the like.

"Alkaline-earth metal" is a metal in Group IIA of the periodic table andincludes, for example, calcium, barium, strontium, and the like.

"Noble metal" is platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, and the like.

A preferred compound of Formula I prepared by the improved process ofthe present invention is one wherein

R₁ is 1-naphthyl, norbornenyl, phenyl, or phenyl substituted with

fluorine,

chlorine,

bromine,

hydroxyl,

trifluoromethyl,

alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms,

alkoxy of from one to four carbon atoms, or

alkanoyloxy of from two to eight carbon atoms.

Also preferred is a compound of Formula I prepared by the improvedprocess of the present invention wherein R₄ is alkyl of from one to sixcarbon atoms, cyclopropyl, or trifluoromethyl.

Particularly preferred compounds of Formula I prepared by the improvedprocess of the present invention are the following:

trans-6-[2-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one;

trans-6-[2-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one;

trans-6-[2-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(1-methylethyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one;

trans-6-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one;

trans-6-[2-[2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one;

trans-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-[2-[2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]-2H-2-one;

trans-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-[2-[2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5-(1-methylethyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]-2H-pyran-2-one;

trans-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-[2-[2-methyl-5-(1-naphthalenyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]-2H-pyran-2-one;

trans-6-[2-(2-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yl-5-methyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)ethyl]tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one;

trans(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide;

(2R)-trans)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide;

trans-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide;

trans-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide;and

a dihydroxy acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof,corresponding to the opened lactone ring of compounds of structuralFormula I

As previously described, the compounds of Formula I are useful asinhibitors of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase(HMG CoA reductase) and are thus useful as hypolipidemic orhypocholesterolemic agents.

The process of the present invention in its first aspect is a new,improved, economical, and commercially feasible method for preparing HMGCoA reductase inhibitors of Formula I. The process of the presentinvention in its first aspect is outlined in Scheme I: ##STR35##

A compound of Formula IX is prepared from the known 1,6-heptadien-4-ol(XI) using the methodology described by Bongini, A., et al, Journal ofOrganic Chemistry, 47, pp 4626-4633 (1982) and Majewski, M., et al,Tetrahedron Letters, 25, pp 2101-2104 (1984). Thus, the homoallylicalcohol (XI) is reacted with an alkyl lithium such as, for example,n-butyllithium followed by iodine and carbon dioxide to give theiodocarbonate (X) at -35° C. to -20° C. which is not isolated buttreated in situ with a base such as an alkali or alkaline-earth metalhydroxide or carbonate, for example, sodium hydroxide, potassiumhydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate,calcium carbonate, and the like, in an aqueous alcohol of from one tothree carbon atoms such as, for example, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol,and the like, at about 0° C. to about 40° C., to afford the epoxide ofFormula IX. Preferably the reaction is carried out with potassiumcarbonate in aqueous methanol at about 0° C. to about 40° C., preferably0° C. The epoxide ring of Formula IX is opened with either potassium orsodium cyanide in an aqueous alcohol such as, for example, methanol,ethanol, tertiary butanol, isopropanol, and the like, at about 0° C. toabout 40° C. Preferably the reaction is carried out with potassiumcyanide in aqueous isopropanol at about 25° C. The resulting diolintermediate is not isolated but treated in situ with a ketal formingreagent such as, for example, acetone, dimethoxypropane,2-methoxypropene, benzaldehyde, cyclopentane, cyclohexanone,1,1-dimethoxycyclopentane, 1,1-dimethoxycyclohexane, and the like, inthe presence of an acid such as, for example, camphorsulfonic acid,para-toluenesulfonic acid, and the like, in the presence of excessreagent or in an inert solvent such as, for example, dichloromethane,and the like, at about 0° C. to the reflux temperature of the reagent orsolvent to afford a compound of Formula VIII, wherein R₇ and R₈ areindependently hydrogen, alkyl of from one to three carbon atoms, phenylor R₇ and R₈ are taken together as --(CH₂)_(n) --, wherein n is 4 or 5.A compound of Formula VII is treated with ozone in an inert solvent suchas, for example, dichloromethane and the like, and the resultingintermediate ozonide which is not isolated is flushed in situ withoxygen to remove the ozone and then treated with triphenylphosphine ordimethyl sulfide at about -20° C. to about -78° C., preferably about-78° C., to afford a compound of Formula VII, wherein R₇ and R₈ are asdefined above. A compound of Formula VII is treated with an oxidizingreagent such as, for example, chromium trioxide-sulfuric acid-water, andthe like, at about 0° C. to afford a compound of Formula VI, wherein R₇and R₈ are as defined above. A compound of Formula VI is treated with acompound of Formula

    Hal--R.sub.9.sbsb.a

wherein Hal is halogen such as, for example, iodine, chlorine, bromine,and R₉.sbsb.a is alkyl of from one to eight carbon atoms, or a three- tosix-membered cycloalkyl group, preferably isopropyl, isobutyl, and thelike in the presence of a base such as, for example,1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), and the like to afford acompound of Formula V_(a), wherein R₇, R₈, and R₉.sbsb.a are as definedabove. Additionally, treating the compound of Formula VI with a compoundof Formula

    HO--R.sub.9.sbsb.a

wherein R₉.sbsb.b is tertiary butyl, tertiary amyl, orα,α-dimethylbenzyl in the presence of an activating agent such as, forexample, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole and the likein the presence of a base such as, for example, 4-dimethylaminopyridineand the like in an inert solvent such as, for example, dichloromethane,tetrahydrofuran, and the like to afford a compound of Formula V_(b),wherein R₇, R₈, and R₉.sbsb.b are as defined above. A compound ofFormula V_(a) is treated with hydrogen in the presence of a catalystsuch as a noble metal, for example, platinum, palladium, rhodium,ruthenium, derivatives thereof, and the like, or Raney nickel,preferably platinum dioxide, and an acid, such as, for example, aceticacid, propanoic acid and the like, preferably acetic acid, at about 0°C. to about 70° C. and about 14 to about 100 pounds per square inchpressure to afford a compound of Formula IV_(a), wherein R₇, R₈, andR₉.sbsb.a are as defined above. Additionally, a compound of FormulaV_(b) is treated with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst such as anoble metal, for example, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium,derivatives thereof, and the like, and an acid such as, for example,acetic acid, propanoic acid and the like, or a catalyst such as, forexample, Raney nickel, Raney cobalt and the like, in an inert solventsuch as, for example, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, tetrahydrofuranand the like, saturated with anhydrous ammonia or saturated with aqueousammonium hydroxide or aqueous sodium hydroxide, preferably the reactionis carried out with Raney nickel in methanol saturated with anhydrousammonia at about 0° C. to about 70° C. and about 14 to about 100 poundsper square inch pressure to afford a compound of Formula IV_(b), whereinR₇, R₈, and R₉.sbsb.b are as defined above. Raney nickel and Raneycobalt as described above are finely divided forms of nickel and cobalt.

A compound of Formula XXI is prepared by treating a compound of FormulaVI ##STR36## wherein R₇ and R₈ are as defined above with hydrogen in thepresence of a catalyst such as, for example, Raney nickel, Raney cobaltand the like in finely divided form, in an inert solvent such as, forexample, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, tetrahydrofuran and the like,saturated with anhydrous ammonia or saturated with aqueous ammoniumhydroxide solution or a catalyst such as, for example, platinum,palladium and the like, in an inert solvent such as, for example,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, tetrahydrofuran and the like in thepresence of an acid such as, for example, acetic acid, propanoic acidand the like, at about 0° C. to about 70° C. and about 14 to about 100pounds per square inch pressure to afford a compound of Formula XXI.

A compound of Formula XXIII is prepared from a compound of Formula XXV##STR37## wherein R₇ and R₈ are as defined above using the methodologypreviously described for preparing a compound of Formula XXI from acompound of Formula VI. A compound of Formula XXV is prepared bytreating a compound of Formula VI ##STR38## wherein R₇ and R₈ are asdefined above and tertiary butyl alcohol with a coupling reagent suchas, for example, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and the like in the presenceof a base such as, for example, 4-dimethylaminopyridine and the like inan inert solvent such as, for example dichloromethane and the like toafford a compound of Formula XXV.

An optically active (R) compound of Formula XXIII_(a) is prepared asoutlined in Scheme II. The starting material(R)-4-cyano-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]butanoic acid ofFormula XXIX is synthesized starting from isoascorbic acid usingsyntheses well known to practitioners of the art. This chemistry isidentical to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,067 (Merck & Co.Inc.) using ascorbic acid which is herein incorporated by referencewhich produces(S)-4-cyano-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]butanoic acid.¹

Thus, the optically active compounds are prepared from the knownisoascorbic acid using the methodology described by Volante R. P. et al,in U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,067 but in that case starting with ascorbic acid.This establishes the optically active centers desired in Formula XXV_(a)and Formula XXIII_(a) as R. Thus, the(R)-4-cyano-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]butanoic acid ofFormula XXIX is treated with carbonyldiimidazole in tetrahydrofuran at0° C. to -40° C., preferably -20° C., warmed to 25° C. and the activatedacid derivative is not isolated but the solution is added to asuspension of a salt of 1,1-dimethylethyl malonic acid such as, forexample, the potassium salt of 1,1-dimethylethyl malonic acid (halfester, half salt) anhydrous magnesium chloride, and an amine such as,for example, diisopropylethylamine in acetonitrile at -10° C. to 20° C.preferably at 5° C. The mixture is poured into a mixture of 1Nhydrochloric acid and ethyl acetate to afford the (R)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-cyano-5-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy-3-oxohexanoate ofFormula XXVlII. The ketone of Formula XXVIII is treated with fluorideion at 0° C. to 65° C., preferably 25° C. to afford the(R)-1,1-dimethylethyl 6-cyano-5-hydroxy-3-oxo-hexanoate of FormulaXXVII. The ketone of Formula XXVII is treated with triethylborane andair (or methoxydiethylborane without air) followed by sodium borohydrideand methanol in tetrahydrofuran at -78° C. to -110° C., preferably -100°C. to afford [R-(R*,R*)]-1,1-dimethylethyl 6-cyano-3,5-hydroxyhexanoateof Formula XXVI. The diol of Formula XXVI is treated with a ketalforming reagent such as, for example, acetone, dimethoxypropane,2-methoxypropene, benzaldehyde, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone,1,1-dimethoxycyclopentane, 1,1-dimethoxycyclohexane and the like, in thepresence of an acid such as, for example, camphorsulfonic acid,para-toluenesulfonic acid, and the like, in the presence of excessreagent or in an inert solvent such as, for example, dichloromethane,and the like, at 0° C. to the reflux temperature of the reagent orsolvent to afford a compound of Formula XXVa wherein R₇ and R₈ areindependently hydrogen, alkyl of from one to three carbon atoms, phenylor R₇ and R₈ are taken together as --(CH₂)_(n) --, wherein n is 4 or 5.

A compound of Formula XXVa is treated with hydrogen gas in an alcoholsuch as methanol saturated with anhydrous ammonia or aqueous ammoniumhydroxide in the presence of a catalyst such as Raney nickel or Raneycobalt or with a nobel metal catalyst such as platinum oxide in thepresence of an alkanoic acid such as acetic acid to afford a compound ofFormula XXIII_(a), wherein R₇ and R₈ as defined above.

Additionally, an optically active compound of Formula IV_(a) or FormulaIV_(b) may be prepared starting from the optically active epoxide ofFormula IX. The preparation of the optically active epoxide of FormulaIX is described by Kocienski, P. J., et al, Journal of the ChemicalSociety Perkin Transaction I, pp 2183-2187 (1987).

The process of preparing a compound of Formula I is outlined in SchemeIII: ##STR40##

A compound of Formula IV_(a) or Formula IV_(b) is reacted with acompound of Formula III, wherein

R₁ is

1-naphthyl,

2-naphthyl,

cyclohexyl,

cyclohexylmethyl,

norbornenyl,

phenyl,

phenyl substituted with

fluorine,

chlorine,

bromine,

hydroxyl,

trifluoromethyl,

alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms,

alkoxy of from one to four carbon atoms, or

alkanoyloxy of from two to eight carbon atoms.

benzyl,

2-, 3-, or 4-pyridinyl, or

2-, 3-, or 4-pyridinyl-N-oxide;

R₂ or R₈ is independently

hydrogen

alkyl of from one to six carbon atoms,

cyclopropyl,

cyclobutyl,

cyclopentyl,

cyclohexyl,

phenyl,

phenyl substituted with

fluorine,

chlorine,

bromine,

hydroxyl,

trifluoromethyl,

alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms, or

alkoxy of from one to four carbon atoms,

cyano,

trifluoromethyl, or --CONR₅ R₆ where R₅ and R₆ are independently

hydrogen,

alkyl of from one to six carbon atoms,

phenyl,

phenyl substituted with

fluorine,

chlorine,

bromine,

cyano, or

trifluoromethyl;

R₄ is

alkyl of from one to six carbon atoms,

cyclopropyl,

cyclobutyl,

cyclopentyl,

cyclohexyl, or

trifluoromethyl;

in an inert solvent such as, for example, toluene, and the like, at thereflux temperature of the solvent to give a compound of Formula II_(a),or Formula II_(b), wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₇, R₈, R₉.sbsb.a andR₉.sbsb.b are as defined above. Finally, a compound of Formula II_(a) istreated with an acid such as, for example, aqueous hydrochloric acid,and the like, in an inert solvent such as, for example, tetrahydrofuran,followed by hydrolysis with a base such as, for example sodiumhydroxide. The reaction is neutralized with an acid such as, forexample, aqueous hydrochloric acid and dissolved and/or heated in aninert solvent such as, for example, toluene, and the like, withconcomitant removal water to give a compound of Formula I, wherein R₁,R₂, R₃, and R₄ are as defined above.

Additionally, a compound of Formula II_(b) is treated with an acid suchas, for example, aqueous hydrochloric acid, and the like, in an inertsolvent such as, for example, tetrahydrofuran and the like for about 15hours, followed by the addition of a base such as, for example, sodiumhydroxide and the like and stirred for about 30 hours. The reaction isreacidified with an acid such as, for example, aqueous hydrochloric acidand dissolved and/or heated in an inert solvent such as, for example,toluene and the like, with concomitant removal of water to give acompound of Formula I, wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are as defined above.

The process of the present invention in its second aspect is a new,improved, economical, and commercially feasible method for preparing theHMG CoA reductase inhibitor of Formula I_(a). The process of the presentinvention in its second aspect is outlined in Scheme IV: ##STR41## Thecompound of Formula XVII is reacted with a compound of Formula XXI##STR42## wherein R₇ and R₈ are independently hydrogen, alkyl of fromone to three carbon atoms, phenyl or R₇ and R₈ are taken together as--(CH₂)_(n) -- wherein n is 4 or 5 in the presence of an inert solventsuch as, for example, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like for about 15 hoursat about 105° C. with the removal of water to afford the intermediatederivative (XXII). Preferably the reaction is carried out in dimethylsulfoxide for about 15 hours at about 105° C. The intermediatederivative XXII, which is not isolated, is treated with an acid such as,for example, concentrated hydrochloric acid and the like in an inertsolvent such as, for example, ethyl acetate and the like to afford thecompound of Formula I_(a). Preferably, the reaction is carried out withconcentrated hydrochloric acid in ethyl acetate.

Additionally, the compound of Formula XVII is reacted with a compound ofFormula XXIII ##STR43## wherein R₇ and R₈ are independently hydrogen,alkyl or from one to three carbon atoms, phenyl or R₇ and R₈ are takentogether as --(CH₂)_(n) --, wherein n is 4 or 5 in the presence of aninert solvent or solvents such as, for example, hexane, toluene and thelike for about 24 hours at about the reflux temperature of the solventor solvents. The intermediate derivative XXIV, which is not isolated, istreated with an acid such as, for example, a 10% aqueous solution ofhydrochloric acid for about 15 hours, followed by the addition of a basesuch as, for example, sodium hydroxide and the like and reacidificationwith an acid for about 30 hours to afford the compound of Formula I_(a).

The process of the present invention in its third aspect is a new,improved, economical, and commercially feasible method for preparing theHMG CoA reductase inhibitor of Formula I_(a). The process of the presentinvention in its third aspect is outlined in Scheme V: ##STR44##

4-Methyl-3-oxo-N-phenylpentanamide (XIX) is obtained by heating amixture of methyl 4-methyl-3-oxopentanoate (XX), aniline and ethylenediamine in toluene. 4-Methyl-3-oxo-N-phenylpentanamide (XIX) issubsequently reacted with benzaldehyde in the presence of a catalystsuch as, for example, piperidine and glacial acetic acid, ethylenediamine and glacial acetic acid, β-alanine and glacial acetic acid, andthe like in an inert solvent such as, for example, toluene, heptane,hexane, and the like for about 24 to about 36 hours at about 60° toabout 120° C. with the removal of water to afford4-methyl-3-oxo-N-phenyl-2-(phenylmethylene)pentanamide (XVIII).Preferably the reaction is carried out with β-alanine and glacial aceticacid at reflux for about 24 hours in hexane. The4-methyl-3-oxo-N-phenyl-2-(phenylmethylene)pentanamide (XVIII) isreacted with 4-fluorobenzaldehyde in the presence of a catalyst such as,for example, 3-benzyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazolium chloride,3,4-dimethyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)thiazolium iodide,3-ethyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazolium bromide, thiaminehydrochloride, and the like, and a base such as, for example,N,N-diisopropylethylamine, pyridine, N,N-dimethylaniline, triethylamine,1,8-diazabicyclo5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane(DABCO), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP),N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) and the like, either neator in the presence of a solvent such as, for example, tetrahydrofuran,tertiary-butyl methyl ether, ethanol, dimethylformamide,dimethylsulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone, acetonitrile, methylisobutylketone, ethyl acetate, isopropanol, pyridine and the like for about 20to about 30 hours under anhydrous conditions at about room temperatureto about the reflux temperature of the solvent to afford the compound ofFormula XVII. Preferably the reaction is carried out in the presence of3-ethyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazolium bromide and triethylaminein ethanol at about 75°-80° C. for about 24 hours. The compound ofFormula XVII is reacted with a compound of Formula ##STR45## wherein R₁₀and R₁₁ are alkyl of one to eight carbon atoms or R₁₀ and R₁₁ togetherare ##STR46## --CH₂ CH₂ -- or --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ -- in the presence of acatalyst of Formula

    R.sub.12 CO.sub.2 H

wherein R₁₂ is CH₃, CF₃, ClCH₂ --, C₆ H₅ CH₂ CH₂ --, C₆ H₅ CH₂ --, HO₂CCH₂ --, HO₂ CCH₂ CH₂ --, C₆ H₅ --, para-Cl--C₆ H₅ --, ClCH₂ CH₂ --,meta-H₃ C--C₆ H₅ --, para-H₃ C--C₆ H₅ --, tertiary-C₄ H₉ -- ortriethylamine hydrochloride and a solvent or mixtures thereof such as,for example, tetrahydrofuran, hexane, toluene, ethanol, tertiary-butylacetate, ethyl acetate, 1,2-dichloroethane, isopropanol, dimethylsulfoxide and the like for about 24 to about 48 hours at about 5° C. toabout the reflux temperature of the solvent with the removal of water toafford a compound of Formula XVI. Preferably, the reaction is carriedout in the presence of pivalic acid and a mixture of toluene and heptaneat reflux for about 48 hours with the removal of water. A compound ofFormula XVI is converted in a conventional manner using the methodologydisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,893 to the compound of Formula I_(a).

Certain of the compounds of Formula III are either known or capable ofbeing prepared by methods known in the art. The ring-opened dihydroxyacids of formula ##STR47## wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are as definedabove may be prepared from the lactone compounds of Formula I byconventional hydrolysis such as, for example, sodium hydroxide inmethanol, sodium hydroxide in tetrahydrofuran-water, and the like, ofthe lactone compounds of Formula I.

The ring-opened dihydroxy acid of Formula XII may be produced from thelactone compound of Formula I_(a) by conventional hydrolysis of thelactone compound of Formula I_(a).

In the ring-opened dihydroxy acid form, compounds of the presentinvention react to form salts with pharmaceutically acceptable metal andamine cations formed from organic and inorganic bases. The term"pharmaceutically acceptable metal salt" contemplates salts formed withthe sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, iron, and zincions. The term "pharmaceutically acceptable amine salt" contemplatessalts with ammonia and organic nitrogenous bases strong enough to formsalts with carboxylic acids. Base useful for the formation ofpharmaceutically acceptable nontoxic base addition salts of the compoundof the present invention form a class whose limits are readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art.

The dihydroxy free acid form of the compounds of the invention may beregenerated from the salt form, if desired, by contacting the salt witha dilute aqueous solution of an acid such as hydrochloric acid.

The ring closed lactone form of the compounds of the invention may beregenerated by dissolution of the dihydroxy acid form of the compoundsof the invention in an inert solvent such as, for example, toluene,benzene, ethyl acetate, and the like, at about 0° C. to about theboiling point of the solvent usually but not necessarily withconcomitant removal of the resulting water and usually but notnecessarily with strong acid catalysis such as, for example,concentrated hydrochloric acid and the like.

The base addition salts may differ from the free acid forms of thecompounds of this invention in such physical characteristics assolubility and melting point, but are otherwise considered equivalent tothe free acid form for the purposes of this invention.

The compounds of the present invention may exist in solvated orunsolvated form and such forms are equivalent to the unsolvated form forthe purposes of this invention.

The compounds of structural Formulas I, I_(a), and XII above possessestwo asymmetric carbon centers, one at the 4-hydroxy position of thepyran-2-one ring, and the other at the 6-position of the pyran-2-onering where the alkylpyrrole group is attached. This asymmetry gives riseto four possible isomers, two of which are the 4R,6S and 4S,6R-isomersand the other two of which are the 4R,6R and 4S,6S-isomers. Thepreferred isomer in this invention is the 4R,6R-isomer of the compoundsof Formulas I, I_(a) and XII above.

The following nonlimiting examples illustrates the inventors' preferredmethod for preparing the compounds of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1Trans-6-[2-[2-ethyl-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-oneStep A: Preparation of (R*,R*)-α-2-propenyloxiraneethanol

n-Butyllithium, 129 mL (200 mmol), is added dropwise to a 0° C. solutionof 1,6-heptadien-4-ol, 22.4 9 (0.2 mol), in 200 mL of anhydroustetrahydrofuran until the triphenylmethane indicator turned red. Carbondioxide is then bubbled in for 30 minutes (lecture bottle carbon dioxidepassed through drierite) and the light yellow solution is stirred for 30minutes under a balloon of carbon dioxide. To this solution is addediodine, 101.4 g (0.4 mol), dissolved in ˜200 mL of anhydroustetrahydrofuran over 60 minutes. The mixture is allowed to warm to roomtemperature overnight, diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with 10%sodium bisulfite solution, saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate,brine, and dried (magnesium sulfate). The crude product is dissolved in200 mL of methanol and 20 mL of water, cooled to 0° C. and 0.5 g ofsolid potassium carbonate is added. The mixture is vigorously stirredfor six hours, filtered, concentrated, and partitioned between ethylacetate and brine. After extracting the aqueous layer 2× with ethylacetate, the combined organics are washed with brine and dried(magnesium sulfate). Flash chromatography (4:1 hexane-ethyl acetate)provides, after concentration in vacuo, 18 g of(R*,R*)-α-2-propenyloxiraneethanol.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.5-1.65 (m, 1H), 1.90 (dt, 1H, J=15, 4 Hz), 2.2(m, 3H), 2.53 (m, 1H), 2.79 (m, 1H), 3.12 (m, 1H), 3.94 (m, 1H), 5.19(m, 2H), 5.80 (m, 1H).

IR (film) 3400, 3077, 2980, 2925, 1643, 1412, 1260, 918, 827 cm⁻¹.

Step B: Preparation of(±)-cis-2,2-dimethyl-6-(2-propenyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile

Potassium cyanide, 1.3 g (20 mmol), is added to a room temperaturesolution of (R*,R*)-α-2-propenyloxiraneethanol, 2.56 g (20 mmol), in 25mL of 4:1 isopropanol-water. The solution is stirred for 20 hours atambient temperature, concentrated, and partitioned between ethyl acetateand brine. The aqueous layer is extracted 2× with ethyl acetate and thecombined ethyl acetate extracts are washed with brine and dried(magnesium sulfate). The crude product is dissolved in 20 mL of2,2-dimethoxypropane, camphorsulfonic acid is added and the solutionstirred for 18 hours at room temperature. Concentration and flashchromatography provides 1.30 g of(±)-cis-2,2-dimethyl-6-(2-propenyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.35 (m, 1H), 1.40 (s, 3H), 1.45 (s, 3H), 1.67 (m,1H), 2.20 (m, 1H), 2.33 (m, 1H), 2.50 (m, 2H), 3.89 (m, 1H), 4.10 (m,1H), 5.10 (m, 2H), 5.7-5.9 (m, 1H).

IR (film) 2995, 2944, 2255, 1644, 1334 cm⁻¹.

Step C: Preparation of(±)-cis-6-(2-oxoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile

A solution of(±)-cis-2,2-dimethyl-6-(2-propenyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile, 3 g(15.36 mmol), in 100 mL of dichloromethane is cooled to -78° C. undernitrogen. Ozone (Welsbach generator, flow rate 0.1, voltage=90 V) isthen passed through a fritted gas inlet tube into the solution until theblue color of ozone appears. The current is turned off, and oxygenbubbled through until the blue color is discharged. Triphenylphosphine,4.2 g (16 mmol), is added and the colorless solution allowed to warm toroom temperature. Flash chromatography provides, after concentration invacuo, 2.5 g of pure(±)-cis-6-(2-oxoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.30 (m, 1H), 1.39 (s, 3H), 1.48 (s, 3H), 1.78 (m,1H), 2.46-2.75 (m, 4H), 4.2 (m, 1H), 4.40 (m, 1H), 9.79 (t, 1H, J=1.6Hz).

IR (film) 2250, 1720 cm⁻¹.

Step D: Preparation of(±)-cis-6-(cyanomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid

Jones reagent (chromium trioxide-sulfuric acid-water), 3.8 mL (7.6mmol), is added dropwise to a 0° C. solution of(±)-cis-6-(2-oxoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile, 1.50 g(7.6 mmol), dissolved in 50 mL of acetone until the orange color is notdischarged. After stirring a further 15 minutes, the mixture is pouredinto 300 mL of diethyl ether and washed with brine until the aqueouswashes are colorless. The diethyl ether layer is dried (magnesiumsulfate), filtered, and concentrated to provide 1.2 g of the acid whichsolidifies on standing. Trituration with isopropyl ether provides(±)-cis-6-(cyanomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid as acolorless solid; mp 92°-95° C. A second trituration/recrystallizationfrom isopropyl ether provides material of mp 98°-103° C.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.35 (m, 1H), 1.42 (s, 3H), 1.49 (s, 3H), 1.82 (m,1H), 2.4-2.7 (m, 4H), 4.18 (m, 1H), 4.35 (m, 1H).

¹³ C-NMR (d₆ -acetone, 50 MHz) δ 19.95, 24.91, 30.17, 35.88, 41.34,65.79, 66.35, 99.70, 117.77, 171.83.

IR (KBr) broad OH 3500-2400, 2254, 1711, 940 cm⁻¹.

Step E: Preparation of (±)-cis-1-methylethyl6-(cyanomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate

To a solution of(±)-cis-6-(cyanomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid, 0.6 g (3mmol), in acetonitrile, 2 mL, is added1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-undec-7-ene (DBU), 0.45 mL (3 mmol), and2-iodopropane, 0.33 mL (3.3 mmol). The solution is stirred overnight atroom temperature, diluted with diethyl ether, washed with brine, anddried (magnesium sulfate). Flash chromatography provides 0.5 g of(±)-cis-1-methylethyl6-(cyanomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate.

90 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.22 (d, 6H, J=7 Hz), 1.3 (m, 1H), 1.35 (s, 3H),1.40 (s, 3H), 1.75 (m, 1H), 2.2-2.7 (m, 4H), 3.9-4.4 (m, 2H), 4.95(septet, 1H, J=7 Hz).

Step F: Preparation of (±)-cis-1-methylethyl6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate

A mixture of (±)-cis-1-methylethyl6-(cyanomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate, 0.55 g, in glacialacetic acid is hydrogenated with platinum dioxide at 50 pounds persquare inch (PSI). Concentration, dilution with ethyl acetate andbicarbonate wash, followed by washing with brine and drying provides 250mg of (±)-cis-1-methylethyl6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate. MS 260.1, 244.1.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.25 (d, 6H, J=7 Hz), 1.32 (m, 1H), 1.36 (s, 3H),1.45 (s, 3H), 1.60 (m, 1H), 2.33 (dd, 1H, J=15, 6 Hz), 2.49 (dd, 1H,J=15, 6 Hz), 2.85 (br t, 2H, J=6 Hz), 3.40 (br s, 2H), 4.00 (m, 1H),4.29 (m, 1H), 12.03 (septet, 1H, J=7 Hz).

IR (film) 1734, 1387 cm⁻¹.

Step G: Preparation of (±)-cis-1-methylethyl6-[2-[2-ethyl-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate

A solution of (±)-cis-1-methylethyl6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate, 0.15 g (0.58 mmol),and 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,4-hexanedione (Example A), 0.125 g (0.6 mmol),in 5 mL of toluene is stirred and heated at reflux overnight. The cooledsolution is concentrated and the highly UV active pyrrole is separatedfrom starting material by preparative thin layer chromatography, eluting2× with 4:1 hexane-ethyl acetate. This provides 130 mg of pure(±)-cis-1-methylethyl6-[2-[2-ethyl-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.51 (m, 1H), 1.23 (d, 6H, J=6 Hz), 1.33 (m, 9H),1.5-1.6 (m, 3H), 2.27 (dd, 1H, J=15.3, 6 Hz), 2.44 (dd, 1H, J=15.3, 6Hz), 2.66 (q, 2H, J=7.5 Hz), 3.62 (m, 1H), 3.8-4.2 (m, 3H), 5.03(septet, 1H, J=6 Hz), 5.97 (d, 1H, J=3.5 Hz), 6.11 (d, 1H, J=3.5 Hz),7.0-7.4 (m, 4H).

A solution of (±)-cis-1-methylethyl6-[2-2-ethyl-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate,0.13 g (0.3 mmol), in 12 mL of 1:2 2M hydrochloric acid-tetrahydrofuranis stirred overnight at room temperature. To this is added sufficient 2Msodium hydroxide to bring the pH to 10. Stirring is continued for 30minutes, water, 30 mL, is added and the mixture is extracted withdiethyl ether. The aqueous layer is acidified with ice cold 6Nhydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×). The organiclayer is washed with brine and dried (magnesium sulfate). The residuewhich remains on filtration and concentration is dissolved in toluene(50 mL) and heated at reflux with azeotropic removal of water (6 hours).The cooled solution is concentrated and flash chromatographed to provide60 mg of trans-6-[2-[2-ethyl-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyran-2-one (elutionwith 2:1 hexane-ethyl acetate).

90 MHz NMR (CDCL₃) δ 1.25 (d, 6H, J=7 Hz), 1.3-1.8 (m, 4H), 2.3 (br s,1H, --OH), 2.55 (m, 2H), 2.65 (q, 2H, J=7 Hz), 3.9-4.5 (m, 4H), 5.90 (d,1H, J=3.5 Hz), 6.05 (d, 1H, J=3.5 Hz), 6.9-7.4 (m, 4H).

EXAMPLE 2Trans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamideMethod A Step A: Preparation of4-Methyl-3-oxo-N-phenyl-2-(phenylmethylene)pentanamide

A suspension of 100 kg of 4-methyl-3-oxo-N-phenylpentanamide (Example B)in 660 kg of hexanes is treated with agitation under nitrogen with 8 kgof β-alanine, 47 kg of benzaldehyde, and 13 kg of glacial acetic acid.The resulting suspension is heated to reflux with removal of water for20 hours. An additional 396 kg of hexanes and 3 kg of glacial aceticacid is added and reflux continued with water removal for one hour. Thereaction mixture is cooled to 20°-25° C. and the product is isolated byfiltration. The product is purified by slurrying in hexanes at 50°-60°C., cooling, and filtration. The product is slurried twice with water at20°-25° C., filtered, and dried in vacuo to yield 110 kg of4-methyl-3-oxo-N-phenyl-2-(phenylmethylene)pentanamide, mp 143.7°-154.4°C.

Vapor Phase Chromatography (VPC): 30 meter DB 5 capillary column50°-270° C. at 15° C./min. 19.33 min, 99.7% (area).

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MC): M/Z 293 [M]⁺.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR): (CDCl₃) δ 1.16 (6H, d), 3.30 (1H,quin.), 7.09 (1H, m), 7.28 (5H, m), 7.49 (5H, m), 8.01 (1H, brs).

Step B: Preparation of(±)4-Fluoro-α-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N,β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamidemixture of [R-(R*,R*)], [R-(R*,S*)], [S-(R*,R*)]and [S-(R*,S*)]isomers

A solution of 17.5 kg of 3-ethyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazoliumbromide in 300 L of anhydrous ethanol is concentrated by distillation of275 L of the ethanol. Under an argon atmosphere, 100 kg (340 mol) of4-methyl-3-oxo-N-phenyl-2-(phenylmethylene)pentanamide, 47.5 L (340 mol)of triethylamine, and 40 L (375 mol) of 4-fluorobenzaldehyde are added.The resulting solution is stirred and heated at 75°-80° C. for 23 hours.The product begins to form as a solid after approximately 1.5 hours butapproximately 24 hours is required for essentially complete conversion.The slurry is dissolved in 600 L of isopropanol at 80° C. The resultingsolution is slowly cooled and the(±)4-fluoro-α-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N,β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamidemixture of [R-(R*,R*)], [R-(R-R*,S*)], S-(R*,R*)]and [S-(R*,S*)] isomersisolated by filtration. Washing the precipitate with isopropanol anddrying in vacuo yielded 99 kg of(±)4-fluoro-α-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N,β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamidemixture of [R-(R*,R*)], [R-(R*,S*)], [S-(R*,R*)] and [S-(R*,S*)]isomers; mp 206.8°-207.6° C.

NMR: (CDCl₃) δ 1.03 (3H, d), 1.22 (3H, d), 2.98 (1H, quin.), 4.91 (1H,d, J=11 Hz), 5.51 (1H, d, J=11 Hz), 6.98-7.43 (12H, m), 8.17 (2H, dd),9.41 (1H, brs).

High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC):(Acetonitrile:tetrahydrofuran:water) (40:25:55) Econosil C₁₈ 5 μ 25 cm1.0 mL/min. 254 nm 16.77 min. 99.2% (area).

Step C: Preparation of1-(3,3-Diethoxypropyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

To a nitrogen purged flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer is added130 kg (311 mol) of(±)4-fluoro-α-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N,β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamidemixture of [R-(R*,R*)], [R-(R*,S*)], [S-(R*,R*)] and [S-(R*,S*)]isomers, 540 L of heptanes and 60 L of toluene, 59 kg (400 mol) of3-amino-1,1-diethoxypropane, and 22.3 kg (218 mol) of pivalic acid. Themixture is stirred and heated to reflux, removing water with a DeanStark trap. The mixture is refluxed 32 hours and slowly cooled to60°-65° C., diluted with 500 L of 2-propanol-water (3:2), seeded, andcooled to 20°-25° C. The product is isolated by filtration, washed with300 L of 2-propanol, and dried in vacuo to yield 133.5 kg of1-(3,3-diethoxypropyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide;mp 125.1°-127.7° C. after recrystallization from ethanol.

HPLC: (acetonitrile:tetrahydrofuran:water) (40:25:55) 10 1.5 mL/min 254nm Econosil C₁₈ 5 μ25 cm R.T.=37.70 min 99.4% (area)

NMR: ((CD₃)₂ CO) δ 1.04 (6H, m, t), 1.47 (6H, d), 1.82 (2H, m), 3.40(5H, m), 3.99 (2H, m), 4.43 (1H, brt), 6.90-7.50 (14H, m), 8.26 (1H,brs)

In a process analogous to Step C using appropriate starting materials,the following compounds of Formula XVI are prepared:

1-(3,3-Dimethoxypropyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide;mp 167°-168.2° C.

5-(4-Fluorophenyl)-1-2-(4-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)ethyl]-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide;bp 141.5°-145.9° C.

Step D: Preparation of5-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-1-(3-oxopropyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

To a nitrogen purged flask fitted with an overhead stirrer, athermometer, and a condenser is added 20 kg (37.8 mol) of1-(3,3-diethoxypropyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide along with 200 L of acetone. The solution isstirred and 100 L of 2N hydrochloric acid solution is added. The mixtureis heated to reflux for four hours then cooled to 50° C.±5° C., seeded,and cooled to 0° C.±5° C. The product is collected by filtration, washedwith 100 L 2-propanol-water (1:1) and dried in vacuo at 50° C. for 64hours to yield 16.2 kg of5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-1-(3-oxopropyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamideas an off-white solid.

Step E: Preparation of2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-δ-hydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl]-β-oxo-3-phenyl-4-(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoicacid, methyl ester

A 22-L three-necked flask fitted with an overhead stirrer, a lowtemperature thermometer, and a 2-L calibrated addition funnel is driedwith a nitrogen purge and 78 g (1.95 mol) 60g sodium hydride in mineraloil is added, followed by 248 mL (1.76 mol) diisopropylamine and 8 Ltetrahydrofuran. The reaction is cooled to -10° to 0° C., a significantnitrogen purge was introduced through the flask, and 212 mL (1.92 mol)methyl acetoacetate is added in a slow stream over a 10 to 30-minuteperiod. Stirring is continued at -10° to 10° C. for an additional 10 to30 minutes. After cooling to -15° to -5° C., 2.2 L of 1.6Mn-butyllithium in hexanes is added over a 30 to 60-minute period whilemaintaining the temperature below 0° C. Stirring is continued for anadditional 1 to 1.5 hours at -15° to 0° C. and the mixture cooled to-35° to -15° C.

In a separate 5-L flask, 0.7 kg (1.54 mol)5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-1-(3-oxopropyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamideis dissolved with 2.0 L of dry tetrahydrofuran, cooled to 0° to -5° C.,and added to the anion solution over a 30 to minute period. The reactionis stirred at -20° to -15° C. for 30 to 45 minutes, then quenched by theaddition of 4 L aqueous 2N hydrochloric acid solution over 5 to 15seconds while stirring rapidly. After stopping the agitation, the lowerlayer is separated and the remaining organic layer washed with 4 Lsaturated aqueous sodium chloride.

Step F: Preparation ofcis-(4-Fluorophenyl)-β,δ-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoicacid, methyl ester

The reaction solution obtained from Step E contained in a 50-L jacketedglass still is concentrated by vacuum distillation to a thick oil, thendissolved with 19 L tetrahydrofuran and cooled to ° C. under an airatmosphere. Triethylborane, a molar solution in hexanes, (3.20 L, 1.4equivalents based on Step E) is added over a 10 minute period, theatmosphere on the flask is switched to nitrogen, and the flask cooled to-105° C. over 3.5 hours. During this period two liters of methanol areadded when the temperature reaches -67° C. Powdered sodium borohydride(184 g, 4.8 mol) is added in 20 to 50-g portions over 1.5 hours, and thereaction maintained between -95° and -106° C. for 13 hours, then between-60° and -100° C. for 10 hours. Unreacted sodium borohydride is quenchedby the addition of 750 mL (12.7 mol) acetic acid in 50-mL portions overa 45 minute period with a substantial amount of gas evolution and with atemperature rise from -60° to -40° C. Further quenching is accomplishedby the addition of a solution of 1.0 L 30% hydrogen peroxide (9.7 mol),3.0 L water, and 100 g dihydrogen sodium phosphate over a 15 minuteperiod and is accompanied by a temperature rise from -40° to 0° C. Thereaction is allowed to warm to room temperature overnight, then thelower layer separated off and the upper layer washed with 4.0 L ofsaturated aqueous sodium chloride solution.

Variation of Step F: Preparation ofcis-2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-β,δ-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-(phenylamino)carbonyl-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoicacid, methyl ester

The reaction solution obtained from Step E is concentrated under vacuumto a volume of 5 to 8 L, then dissolved in 20 L tetrahydrofuran and 4 Lmethanol under a nitrogen atmosphere. This solution is cooled to -85° C.and 2.1 L of a 15% solution of methoxydiethylborane in tetrahydrofuran(2.1 mol, 1.0 equivalent based on Step E) is added. The reaction iscooled to -97° C. over one hour and 144 g (3.78 mol) of sodiumborohydride added in 20 to 50-g portions over 1.5 hours. The reaction ismaintained between -93° and -97° C. for 13 hours and allowed to warm toroom temperature and stand for 60 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere.

The reaction is quenched by the addition of 460 mL (7.9 mol) acetic acidand concentrated by vacuum distillation to an oil. The residue isdissolved with 8 L methanol, concentrated by vacuum distillation,redissolved with 8 L methanol, and reconcentrated by vacuum distillationto a volume of 6 L. The solution is diluted with 8 L tetrahydrofuran, 4L hexanes, and carried into the next step.

Step G: Preparation oftrans-(±)-5-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

The crude reaction mixture of Step F is cooled to 8° C., 8.0 L of 2.0Naqueous sodium hydroxide is added, and the reaction stirred for 2 hoursat 15° to 18° C. The reaction is diluted with 12 L water and the upperlayer removed. The remaining aqueous layer is washed with 8 L hexanesthen 8 L ethyl acetate is added followed by 1 L concentrated aqueoushydrochloric acid solution. The well-stirred mixture is allowed toseparate, the lower layer discarded, and the upper layer washed fourtimes with 4 L each of 2N aqueous hydrochloric acid solution.

The ethyl acetate layer is concentrated to a foamy syrup by vacuumdistillation, and the residue dissolved in 8 L toluene. The toluene isconcentrated by vacuum distillation to a volume of 6 L, then allowed tostand at room temperature for 16 hours. The resulting thick slurry isfiltered on a Buchner funnel, washed with 1 L of cool toluene, washedwith 2 L of hexanes, and dried in a vacuum oven for 24 hours at roomtemperature, resulting in 686 g oftrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide.The filtrates are washed with 2N aqueous hydrochloric acid solution andconcentrated in vacuo to a volume of 2 L, then allowed to stand at roomtemperature for three days. The resulting solid is filtered, washed, anddried as before, resulting in 157 g oftrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide. HPLC of the solidsindicates 95% trans with 1.3% cis lactone for the first crop and 95%trans with 2.3% cis lactone for the second crop. The two crops of solidare dissolved in 8 L ethyl acetate by heating to 50 to 60° C., thenfiltered through a Buchner funnel along with 8 L of hexanes which hasbeen warmed to 50° C. The solution is allowed to cool to roomtemperature over 16 hours, the resulting slurry filtered through aBuchner funnel, and the solid washed with 2 L hexanes. The resultingsolid is dried in a vacuum oven for 24 hours at room temperature,resulting in 720 g oftrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamidewith a 98%:0.9% trans:cis HPLC assay. The second crop obtained byconcentration as before is approximately 100 g.

Method B Step A: Preparation of(±)-cis-6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid

A solution of 1.04 g (4.88 mmol) of(±)-cis-6-(cyanomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid in 100 mLof methanol saturated with anhydrous ammonia is added to a Parr shakerbottle containing 0.53 g of water wet Raney nickel #30. The solution isheated at 45° C. and 50 psig hydrogen pressure for 17 hours. Thesuspension is cooled and filtered to remove the Raney nickel throughfilter aid and the precipitate washed with methanol. The filtrate isconcentrated at reduced pressure. The residue is dissolved in methanolsaturated with anhydrous ammonia treated with decolorizing charcoal,filtered through filter aid and evaporated to give 0.56 g of(±)-cis-6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid, mp 165°with decomposition at 169° C.

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) (KBr): 1201.1, 1399.2, 1561.2, 2924.4,3569.9 cm⁻¹.

¹ H-NMR (D₂ O, 200 MHz) δ 0.8 (m, 1H), 0.96 (s, 3H), 1.11 (s, 3H),1.2-1.5 (m, 3H), 1.84 (dd, 1H, J=14.0 Hz, J=6.6 Hz), 1.99 (dd, 1H,J=14.0 Hz, J=6.8 Hz), 2.68 (t, 2H, J=7.2 Hz), 3.6-3.85 (m, 1H),3.85-4.15 (m, 1H).

¹³ C-NMR (D₂ O, 50 MHz) δ 19.64, 29.32, 32.94, 35.86, 36.95, 44.73,68.16, 68.25, 100.18, 178.56.

Mass Spectrum (GC/MS), m/z 202, 198, 173, 142, 138, 120, 97, 82, 59, 43.

Step B: Preparation ofTrans(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

A solution of 0.26 g (1.21 mmol) of(±)-cis-6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid and0.504 g (1.20 mmol) of(±)4-fluoro-α-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N,β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamidemixture of [R-(R*,R*)], [R-(R*,S*)], [S-(R*,R*)] and [S-(R*,S*)] isomersin 5 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide is heated at 105° C. for 15 hours. Thesolution is cooled and poured into 100 mL of diethyl ether and 50 mL ofsaturated ammonium chloride in water. The layers are separated and theorganic layer washed with water (2×50 mL) and 5% sodium hydroxidesolution (2×100 mL--to extract the intermediate from unreacteddiketone). The aqueous layer is acidified with dilute hydrochloric acidsolution and extracted with 30 mL of ethyl acetate. A drop ofconcentrated hydrochloric acid is added to the ethyl acetate solutionand allowed to stand 18 hours. The solution is concentrated in vacuo andthe concentrate is redissolved in 30 mL of ethyl acetate and treatedwith one drop of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The solution is stirredtwo hours, concentrated in vacuo, and dissolved in 6 mL of toluene.Trans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamidecrystallizes and is isolated by filtration. A total of 0.16 g oftrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamideis isolated in two crops.

Method C Step A: Preparation of either (±)-(2α,4β,6β) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-2-phenyl-6-(2-propenyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile

Potassium cyanide, 1.3 g (20 mmol), is added to a room temperaturesolution of (R*,R*)-α-2-propenyloxiraneethanol, 2.56 g (20 mmol), in 25mL of 4:1 isopropanol:water. The solution is stirred for 20 hours atambient temperature, concentrated, and partitioned between ethyl acetateand brine. The aqueous layer is extracted 2× with ethyl acetate and thecombined ethyl acetate extracts are washed with brine and dried(magnesium sulfate). The crude product is dissolved in 20 mL ofbenzaldehyde dimethyl acetal, camphorsulfonic acid is added, and thesolution is stirred for 18 hours at room temperature. Concentration andflash chromatography after concentration in vacuo provides 1.30 g ofeither (±)-(2α,4β,6β) or(±)-(2α,4α,6β)-2-phenyl-6-(2-propenyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.48 (m, 1H), 1.71 (m, 1H), 2.41 (m, 2H), 2.58 (m,2H), 3.87 (m, 1H), 4.03 (m, 1H), 5.1-5.2 (m, 2H), 5.53 (s, 1H), 5.87 (m,1H), 7.3-7.6 (m, 5H)

¹³ C-NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz) δ 24.23, 35.07, 39.79, 71.57, 75.48, 100.44,116.37, 117.53, 125.89, 127.91, 128.61, 133.05, 137.71.

GC/MS m/e 243 (M⁺), 242, 203, 202, 120, 107, 105, 79, 75, 41.

FTIR (neat) 699.6, 758.7, 920.8, 1028.8, 1051.9, 1121.4, 1345.2, 1383.7,1401.7, 2253.1, 2916.6 cm⁻¹.

Step B: Preparation of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(2-oxoethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile

A solution of either (±)-(2α,4β,6β) or(±)-(2α,4α,6α)-2-phenyl-6-(2-propenyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile, 4.11g (16.89 mmol), in 100 mL of dichloromethane is cooled to -78° C. undernitrogen. Ozone (Welsbach generator, flow rate 0.1, voltage=90 V) isthen passed through a fritted gas inlet tube into the solution until theblue color of ozone appears. The current is turned off, and oxygenbubbled through until the blue color is discharged. Triphenylphosphine,4.87 g (18.58 mmol), is added and the colorless solution is allowed towarm to room temperature. Flash chromatography provides afterconcentration in vacuo 3.75 g of pure either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(2-oxoethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile.

GC/MS m/e 245 (M⁺), 244, 123, 105, 95, 94, 77, 51, 41.

Step C: Preparation of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(cyanomethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid

Jones reagent (chromium trioxide-sulfuric acid-water), 3.8 mL (97.6mmol), is added dropwise to a 0° C. solution of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(2-oxoethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile, 1.86g (7.6 mmol), dissolved in 50 mL of acetone until the orange color isnot discharged. After stirring a further 15 minutes, the mixture ispoured into 300 mL of diethyl ether and washed with brine until theaqueous washes are colorless. The diethyl ether layer is dried(magnesium sulfate), filtered, and concentrated to provide 1.84 g ofeither (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(cyanomethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid as ayellow gum.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.61 (m, 1H), 2.04 (m, 1H), 2.6-2.8 (m, 3H) 2.82(dd, 1H, J=15.9 Hz, J=7.1 Hz), 4.20 (m, 1H), 4.40 (m, 1H), 5.60 (s, 1H),7.2-7.5 (m, 5H).

Step D: Preparation of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-2-aminoethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid

A solution of 0.16 g (0.61 mmol) of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(cyanomethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid in 50mL of methanol saturated with anhydrous ammonia is added to a Parrshaker bottle containing 0.2 g of water wet Raney nickel #30. Thesolution is heated at 40° C. and 50 pounds per square inch gage (psig)hydrogen pressure for 6 hours. The suspension is cooled and filtered toremove the Raney nickel through filter aid and the precipitate washedwith methanol. The filtrate is concentrated at reduced pressure. Theresidue is dissolved in methanol saturated with anhydrous ammoniatreated with decolorizing charcoal, filtered through filter aid andevaporated to give 0.11 g of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(2-aminoethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid; mp215.9°-217.9° C. with decomposition.

200 MHz NMR (D₂ O) δ 1.4-1.9 (m, 4H), 2.39 (dd, 1H, J=14.8 Hz, J=6.7Hz), 2.55 (dd, 1H, J=14.8 Hz, J =7.4 Hz), 2.73 (t, 2H, J=7.2 Hz) 4.11(m, 1H), 4.33 (m, 1H), 5.70 (s, 1H), 7.4-7.6 (m, 5H).

¹³ C-NMR (D₂ O, 50 MHz) δ 39.20, 39.78, 40.83, 47.11, 78.34, 78.73,104.06, 129.15, 131.56, 132.38, 140.51, 181.89.

Step E: Preparation ofTrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

A solution of 0.31 g (1.21 mmol) of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(2-aminoethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid and0.504 g (1.20 mmol) of(±)-4-fluoro-α-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N,β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamidemixture of [R-(R*,R*)], [R-(R*,S*)], [S-(R*,R*)] and [S-(R*,S*)] isomersin 5 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide is heated at 105° C. for 15 hours. Thesolution is cooled and poured into 100 mL of diethyl ether and 50 mL ofsaturated ammonium chloride in water. The layers are separated and theorganic layer washed with water (2×50 mL) and 5% sodium hydroxidesolution (2×100 mL--to extract the intermediate from unreacteddiketone). The aqueous layer is acidified with dilute hydrochloric acidsolution, stirred for three hours and extracted with 30 mL of ethylacetate. A drop of concentrated hydrochloric acid is added to the ethylacetate solution, the solution is stirred and allowed to stand 18 hours.The solution is concentrated in vacuo and the concentrate is redissolvedin 30 mL of ethyl acetate and treated with one drop of concentratedhydrochloric acid. The solution is stirred two hours, concentrated invacuo, and dissolved in 6 mL of toluene.Trans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamidecrystallizes and is isolated by filtration. A total of 0.16 g oftrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-l-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamideis isolated in two crops.

Method D Step A: Preparation of(±)-cis-9-(2-propenyl)-6,10-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-acetonitrile.

Potassium cyanide, 1.3 g (20 mmol), is added to a room temperaturesolution of (R*,R*)-α-2-propenyloxiraneethanol, 2.56 g (20 mmol), in 25mL of 4:1 isopropanol:water. The solution is stirred for 20 hours atambient temperature, concentrated, and partitioned between ethyl acetateand brine. The aqueous layer is extracted 2× with ethyl acetate and thecombined ethyl acetate extracts are washed with brine and dried(magnesium sulfate). The crude product is dissolved in 20 mL of1,1-dimethoxycyclopentane, camphorsulfonic acid is added, and thesolution is stirred for 18 hours at room temperature. Concentration andflash chromatography after concentration in vacuo provides 1.40 g of(±)-cis-9-(2-propenyl)-6,10-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-acetonitrile.

Step B: Preparation of(±)-cis-9-(2-oxoethyl)-6,10-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-acetonitrile

A solution of(±)-cis-9-(2-propenyl)-6,10-dioxaspiro4.5]decane-7-acetonitrile, 3.4 g(15.36 mmol), in 100 mL of dichloromethane is cooled to -78° C. undernitrogen. Ozone (Welsbach generator, flow rate 0.1, voltage=90 V) isthen passed through a fritted gas inlet tube into the solution until theblue color of ozone appears. The current is turned off, and oxygenbubbled through until the blue color is discharged. Triphenylphosphine,4.2 g (16 mmol), is added and the colorless solution is allowed to warmto room temperature. Flash chromatography provides after concentrationin vacuo 2.5 g of pure(±)-cis-9-(2-oxoethyl)-6,10-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-acetonitrile.

Step C: Preparation of(±)-cis-9-cyanomethyl)-6,10-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-acetic acid

Jones reagent (chromium trioxide-sulfuric acid-water), 3.8 mL (97.6mmol), is added dropwise to a 0° C. solution of(±)-cis-9-(2-oxoethyl)-6-10-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-2-acetonitrile 1.70(7.6 mmol), dissolved in 50 mL of acetone until the orange color is notdischarged. After stirring a further 15 minutes, the mixture is pouredinto 300 mL of diethyl ether and washed with brine until the aqueouswashes are colorless. The diethyl ether layer is dried (magnesiumsulfate), filtered, and concentrated to provide 1.20 g of(±)-cis-9-(cyanomethyl)-6,10-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-acetic acid as acolorless solid.

Step D: Preparation of(±)-cis-9-(2-aminoethyl)-6,10-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-acetic acid

A solution of 1.17 g (4.88 mmol) of(±)-cis-9-(cyanomethyl)-6,10-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-acetic acid in 100mL of methanol saturated with anhydrous ammonia is added to a Parrshaker bottle containing 0.53 g of water wet Raney nickel #30. Thesolution is heated at 45° C. and 50 pounds per square inch gage (psig)hydrogen pressure for 17 hours. The suspension is cooled and filtered toremove the Raney nickel through filter aid and the precipitate is washedwith methanol. The filtrate is concentrated at reduced pressure. Theresidue is dissolved in methanol saturated with anhydrous ammoniatreated with decolorizing charcoal, filtered through filter aid andevaporated to give 0.56 g of(±)-cis-9-(2-aminoethyl)-6,10-dioxaspiro-4.5]decane-7-acetic acid.

Step E: Preparation ofTrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

A solution of 0.295 g (1.21 mmol) of(±)-cis-9-(2-aminoethyl)-6,10-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-acetic acid and0.504 g (1.20 mmol) of(±)-4-fluoro-α-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N,β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamidemixture of [R-(R*,R*)], [R-(R*,S*)], [S-(R*,R*)] and [S-(R*,S*)] isomersin 5 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide is heated at 105° C. for 15 hours. Thesolution is cooled and poured into 100 mL of diethyl ether and 50 mL ofsaturated ammonium chloride in water. The layers are separated and theorganic layer washed with water (2×50 mL) and 5% sodium hydroxidesolution (2×100 mL--to extract the intermediate protected acid fromunreacted diketone). The aqueous layer is acidified with dilutehydrochloric acid solution, stirred for three hours and extracted with30 mL of ethyl acetate. A drop of concentrated hydrochloric acid isadded to the ethyl acetate solution and allowed to stand 18 hours. Thesolution is concentrated in vacuo and the concentrate is redissolved in30 mL of ethyl acetate and treated with one drop of concentratedhydrochloric acid. The solution is stirred two hours, concentrated invacuo, and dissolved in 6 mL of toluene.Trans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamidecrystallizes and is isolated by filtration. A total of 0.16 g oftrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamideis isolated in two crops.

Method E Step A: Preparation of(±]cis-4-(2-propenyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetonitrile

Potassium cyanide, 1.3 g (20 mmol), is added to a room temperaturesolution of (R*,R*)-α-2-propenyloxiraneethanol, 2.56 g (20 mmol), in 25mL of 4:1 isopropanol:water. The solution is stirred for 20 hours atambient temperature, concentrated, and partitioned between ethyl acetateand brine. The aqueous layer is extracted 2× with ethyl acetate and thecombined ethyl acetate extracts are washed with brine and dried(magnesium sulfate). The crude product is dissolved in 20 mL of2,2-dimethoxycyclohexane, camphorsulfonic acid is added, and thesolution is stirred for 18 hours at room temperature. Concentration andflash chromatography after concentration in vacuo provides 1.50 g of(±)-cis-4-(2-propenyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetonitrile.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.26 (m, 1H), 1.4-1.7 (m, 8H), 1.87 (m, 2H),2.1-2.3 (m, 2H), 2.51 (d, 2H, J =6.05 Hz), 3.95 (m, 1H), 4.15 (m, 1H),5.0-5.2 (m, 2H), 5.83 (m, 1H).

¹³ C-NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz) δ 22.16, 24,71, 25.42, 28.20, 35.47, 38.33,40.30, 64.08, 66.87, 98.84, 116.53, 116.83, 113.46.

GC/MS m/e 235 (m⁺), 206, 192, 120, 99, 93, 79, 69, 55, 41.

FTIR (film) 964.5, 1121.4, 1160.0, 2253.1, 2937.2 cm⁻¹.

Step B: Preparation of(±)-cis-4-(2-oxoethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetonitrile

A solution of(±)-cis-4-(2-propenyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetonitrile 4.26 g(19.42 mmol), in 100 mL of dichloromethane is cooled to -78° C. undernitrogen. Ozone (Welsbach generator, flow rate 0.1, voltage=90 V) isthen passed through a fritted gas inlet tube into the solution until theblue color of ozone appears. The current is turned off, and oxygenbubbled through until the blue color is discharged. Triphenylphosphine,5.6 g (21.36 mmol), is added and the colorless solution is allowed towarm to room temperature. Flash chromatography provides afterconcentration in vacuo 4.04 g of pure(±)-cis-4-(2-oxoethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetonitrile.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.3-2.0 (m, 12H), 2.5-2.7 (m, 4H), 4.20 (m, 1H),4.36 (m, 1H), 9.81 (t, 1H, J=1.74 Hz).

¹³ C-NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz) δ 22.39, 22.44, 24.97, 25.59, 28.44, 35.82,38.48, 49.54, 63.25, 64.17, 99.66, 116.57, 199.82.

GC/MS m/e 237 (m⁺), 208, 194, 122, 94, 81, 55, 42, 41.

FTIR (film) 969.6, 1069.9, 1126.5, 1160.0, 1368.3, 1386.3, 1728.4,2934.6 cm⁻¹.

Step C: Preparation of(±)-cis-4-[cyanomethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetic acid

Jones reagent (chromium trioxide-sulfuric acid-water), 4.4 mL (8.85mmol), is added dropwise to a 0° C. solution of(±)-cis-4-(2-oxoethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetonitrile, 3.62g (12.6 mmol), dissolved in 30 mL of acetone until the orange color isnot discharged. After stirring a further 15 minutes, the mixture ispoured into 300 mL of diethyl ether and washed with brine until theaqueous washes are colorless. The diethyl ether layer is dried(magnesium sulfate), filtered, and concentrated to provide 3.65 g of(±)-cis-4-(cyanomethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetic acid as ayellow solid.

200 MHz NMR (Pyridine) δ 1.2-2.0 (m, 12H), 2.5-2.9 (m, 4H), 4.19 (m,1H), 4.50 (m, 1H).

Step D: Preparation of(±)-cis-4-(2-aminoethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro5.5]undecane-2-acetic acid

A solution of 0.13 g of(±)-cis-4-(cyanomethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetic acid in 20mL of methanol saturated with anhydrous ammonia is added to a Parrshaker bottle containing 0.2 g of water wet Raney nickel #30. Thesolution is heated at 40° C. and 50 pounds per square inch gage (psig)hydrogen pressure for 17 hours. The suspension is cooled and filtered toremove the Raney nickel through filter aid and the precipitate is washedwith methanol. The filtrate is concentrated at reduced pressure. Theresidue is dissolved in methanol saturated with anhydrous ammonia,treated with decolorizing charcoal, filtered through filter aid andevaporated to give 0.13 g of(±)-cis-4-(2-aminoethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetic acid.

200 MHz NMR (D₂ O) δ 1.1-1.7 (m, 10H), 1.75-2.1 (m, 4H), 2.19 (dd, 1H, J=14.6 Hz, J =6.7 Hz), 2.31 (dd, 1H, J =14.6 Hz, J =7.3 Hz), 2.69 (t, 2H,J=7.1 Hz), 4.09 (m, 1H), 4.34 (m, 1H).

¹³ C-NMR (D₂ O, 50 MHz) δ 24.50, 24.73, 27.55, 30.80, 38.91, 39.39,39.63, 40.48, 47.03, 69.37, 69.54, 102.74, 181.33.

Step E: Preparation ofTrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

A solution of 0.31 g (1.21 mmol) of(±)-cis-4-(2-aminoethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetic acid and0.504 g (1.20 mmol) of (±)-4-fluoro-60-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N,β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamide mixture of[R-(R*,R*)], [R-(R*,S*)], [S-(R*,R*)] and [S-(R*,S*)] isomers in 5 mL ofdimethyl sulfoxide is heated at 105° C. for 15 hours. The solution iscooled and poured into 100 mL of diethyl ether and 50 mL of saturatedammonium chloride in water. The layers are separated and the organiclayer washed with water (2×50 mL) and 5% sodium hydroxide solution(2×100 mL--to extract the intermediate acid from unreacted diketone).The aqueous layer is acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid solution,stirred for three hours and extracted with 30 mL of ethyl acetate toremove the protecting group before lactonization. The extract isconcentrated and dissolved in 30 mL of ethyl acetate. A drop ofconcentrated hydrochloric acid is added to the ethyl acetate solutionand allowed to stand 18 hours. The solution is concentrated in vacuo andthe concentrate is redissolved in 30 mL of ethyl acetate and treatedwith one drop of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The solution is stirredtwo hours, concentrated in vacuo, and dissolved in 6 mL of toluene.Trans-(±)-5-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamidecrystallizes and is isolated by filtration. A total of 0.155 g oftrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamideis isolated in two crops.

Method F Step A: Preparation of(±)-cis-6--(2-propenyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile

Potassium cyanide, 1.3 g (20 mmol), is added to a room temperaturesolution of (R*,R*)-α-2-propenyloxiraneethanol, 2.56 g (20 mmol), in 25mL of 4:1 isopropanol:water. The solution is stirred for 20 hours atambient temperature, concentrated, and partitioned between ethyl acetateand brine. The aqueous layer is extracted 2× with ethyl acetate and thecombined ethyl acetate extracts are washed with brine and dried(magnesium sulfate). The crude product is dissolved in 20 mL ofdimethoxymethane, camphorsulfonic acid is added, and the solution isstirred for 18 hours at room temperature. Concentration and flashchromatography after concentration in vacuo provides 1.20 g of(±)-cis-6-(2-propenyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile.

Step B: Preparation of (±)-cis-6-(2-oxoethyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile

A solution of (±)-cis-6-(2-propenyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile, 2.57 g(15.36 mmol), in 100 mL of dichloromethane is cooled to -78° C. undernitrogen. Ozone (Welsbach generator, flow rate 0.1, voltage=90 V) isthen passed through a fritted gas inlet tube into the solution until theblue color of ozone appears. The current is turned off, and oxygenbubbled through until the blue color is discharged. Triphenylphosphine,4.87 g (28.58 mmol), is added and the colorless solution is allowed towarm to room temperature. Flash chromatography provides afterconcentration in vacuo 2.3 g of pure(±)-cis-6-(2-oxoethyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile.

Step C: Preparation of (±)-cis-6-(cyanomethyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid

Jones reagent (chromium trioxide-sulfuric acid-water), 3.8 mL (97.6mmol), is added dropwise to a 0° C. solution of(±)-cis-6-(2-oxoethyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile, 1.29 g (7.6 mmol),dissolved in 50 mL of acetone until the orange color is not discharged.After stirring a further 15 minutes, the mixture is poured into 300 mLof diethyl ether and washed with brine until the aqueous washes arecolorless. The diethyl ether layer is dried (magnesium sulfate),filtered, and concentrated to provide 1.2 g of(±)-cis-6-(cyanomethyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid as a colorless solid.

Step D: Preparation of (±)-cis-6-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-aceticacid

A solution of 1.04 g (4.88 mmol) of(±)-cis-6-(cyanomethyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid in 100 mL of methanolsaturated with anhydrous ammonia is added to a Parr shaker bottlecontaining 0.53 g of water wet Raney nickel #30. The solution is heatedat 45° C. and 50 pounds per square inch gage (psig) hydrogen pressurefor 17 hours. The suspension is cooled and filtered to remove the Raneynickel through filter aid and the precipitate washed with methanol. Thefiltrate is concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue is dissolvedin methanol saturated with anhydrous ammonia, treated with decolorizingcharcoal, filtered through filter aid and evaporated to give 0.56 g of(±)-cis-6-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid.

Step E: Preparation ofTrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

A solution of 0.26 g (1.21 mmol) of(±)-cis-6-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid and 0.504 g (1.20mmol) of (±)-4-fluoro-60-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N,β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamide in 5 mL ofdimethyl sulfoxide is heated at 105° C. for 15 hours. The solution iscooled and poured into 100 mL of diethyl ether and 50 mL of saturatedammonium chloride in water. The layers are separated and the organiclayer washed with water (2×50 mL) and 5% sodium hydroxide solution(2×100 mL--to extract the intermediate acid from unreacted diketone).The aqueous layer is acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid solutionand extracted with 30 mL of ethyl acetate. A drop of concentratedhydrochloric acid is added to the ethyl acetate solution and allowed tostand 18 hours. The solution is concentrated in vacuo and theconcentrate is redissolved in 30 mL of ethyl acetate and treated withone drop of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The solution is stirred twohours, concentrated in vacuo, and dissolved in 6 mL of toluene.Trans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamidecrystallizes and is isolated by filtration. A total of 0.15 g oftrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamideis isolated in two drops.

Method G Step A: Preparation of either (±)-(2α,4β,6β) or(±)-(2α,4α,6α)-2-methyl-6-(2-propenyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile

Potassium cyanide, 1.3 g (20 mmol), is added to a room temperaturesolution of (R*,R*)-α-2-propenyloxiraneethanol, 2.56 g (20 mmol), in 25mL of 4:1 isopropanol:water. The solution is stirred for 20 hours atambient temperature, concentrated, and partitioned between ethyl acetateand brine. The aqueous layer is extracted 2× with ethyl acetate and thecombined ethyl acetate extracts are washed with brine and dried(magnesium sulfate). The crude product is dissolved in 20 mL of1,1-dimethoxyethane, camphorsulfonic acid is added, and the solution isstirred for 18 hours at room temperature. Concentration and flashchromatography after concentration in vacuo provides 1.30 g of either(±)-(2α,4β,6β) or(±)-(2α,4α,6α)-2-methyl-6-(2-propenyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile.

Step B: Preparation of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-2-methyl-6-(2-oxoethyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile

A solution of either (±)-(2α,4β, 6β) or(±)-(2α,4α,6α)-2-methyl-6-(2-propenyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile, 2.78g (15.36 mmol), in 100 mL of dichloromethane is cooled to -78° C. undernitrogen. Ozone (Welsbach generator, flow rate 0.1, voltage=90 V) isthen passed through a fritted gas inlet tube into the solution until theblue color of ozone appears. The current is turned off, and oxygenbubbled through until the blue color is discharged. Triphenylphosphine,4.2 g (16 mmol), is added and the colorless solution is allowed to warmto room temperature. Flash chromatography provides after concentrationin vacuo 2.5 g of pure either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-2-methyl-6-(2-oxoethyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile.

Step C: Preparation of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(cyanomethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid

Jones reagent (chromium trioxide-Sulfuric acid-water), 3.8 mL (7.6mmol), is added dropwise to a 0° C. solution of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-2-methyl-6-(2-oxoethyl)-1,3-dioxane-4-acetonitrile, 1.40g (7.6 mmol), dissolved in 50 mL of acetone until the orange color isnot discharged. After stirring a further 15 minutes, the mixture ispoured into 300 mL of diethyl ether and washed with brine until theaqueous washes are colorless. The diethyl ether layer is dried(magnesium sulfate), filtered, and concentrated to provide 1.01 g ofeither (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,4β)-6-(cyanomethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid as acolorless solid.

Step D: Preparation of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(2-aminoethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid

A solution of 0.97 g (4.88 mmol) of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(cyanomethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid in 100mL of methanol saturated with anhydrous ammonia is added to a Parrshaker bottle containing 0.53 g of water wet Raney nickel #30. Thesolution is heated at 45° C. and 50 pounds per square inch gage (psig)hydrogen pressure for 17 hours. The suspension is cooled and filtered toremove the Raney nickel through filter aid and the precipitate washedwith methanol. The filtrate is concentrated at reduced pressure. Theresidue is dissolved in methanol saturated with anhydrous ammoniatreated with decolorizing charcoal, filtered through filter aid andevaporated to give 0.50 g of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(2-aminoethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid.

Step E: Preparation ofTrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

A solution of 0.31 g of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(2-aminoethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid and0.504 g (1.20 mmol) of(±)-4-fluoro-α-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N,β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamidein 5 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide is heated at 105° C. for 15 hours. Thesolution is cooled and poured into 100 mL of diethyl ether and 50 mL ofsaturated ammonium chloride in water. The layers are separated and theorganic layer washed with water (2×50 mL) and 5% sodium hydroxidesolution (2×100 mL--to extract the intermediate acid from unreacteddiketone). The aqueous layer is acidified with dilute hydrochloric acidsolution, stirred for three hours and extracted with 30 mL of ethylacetate. A drop of concentrated hydrochloric acid is added to the ethylacetate solution and allowed to stand 18 hours. The solution isconcentrated in vacuo and the concentrate is redissolved in 30 mL ofethyl acetate and treated with one drop of concentrated hydrochloricacid. The solution is stirred two hours, concentrated in vacuo, anddissolved in 6 mL of toluene.Trans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamidecrystallizes and is isolated by filtration. A total of 0.14 g oftrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamideis isolated in two crops.

Method H Step A: Preparation of (±)-cis-1,1-dimethylethyl6-(cyanomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate

(±)-cis-6-(cyanomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid (3.72 g,17.44 mmol) is dissolved in 20 mL of dichloromethane, cooled to 0° C.and 0.2 g of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) is added, followed byt-butyl alcohol and followed by 4.32 g of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide(DCC). This solution is allowed to slowly warm to room temperature overa 76.5-hour period. Thin layer chromotography (TLC) shows mainlyproduct, and some slightly lower Rf by-products. The mixture is stirredone hour and 50 mL of dichloromethane is added and stirring continuesfive hours. An additional 100 mL of diethyl ether is added and themixture filtered. The precipitate is washed with diethyl ether. Thefiltrate is concentrated to an oil. The crude product is chromatographedon silica gel eluting with 4:1 hexane:ethyl acetate. The eluate isconcentrated to yield (±)-cis-1,1-dimethylethyl6-(cyanomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.36 (m, 1H), 1.42 (s, 3H), 1.49 (s, 9H), 1.50 (s,3H), 1.79 (dt, 1H, J =2.5 Hz, J=2.1 Hz), 2.40 (dd, 1H, J =6.2 Hz, J=15.4 Hz), 2.5-2.7 (m, 1H), 2.55 (d, 2H, J =6.1 Hz) 4.18 (m, 1H), 4.32(m, 1H).

¹³ C-NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz) δ 19.80, 25.16, 28.30, 29.94, 35.66, 42.56,65.27, 65.87, 80.96, 99.57, 116.72, 169.83.

GCMS m/e 254, 199, 198, 154, 138, 59, 57, 43, 41.

FTIR (neat) 954.2, 987.6, 1152.3, 1201.1, 1257.7, 1316.9, 1368.3,1383.7, 1728.4, 2253.1, 2942.4, 2983.5 cm⁻¹.

Step B: Preparation of (±)-cis-1,1-dimethylethyl6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate

A solution of 6.75 g of (±)-cis-1,1-dimethyl ethyl6-(cyanomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate in 80 mL of methanolsaturated with gaseous ammonia is treated with 0.7 g of Raney nickel #30and hydrogen gas in a shaker at 50 pounds per square inch gage (psig)and 40° C. After 10 hours, thin layer chromatography indicates nostarting nitrile present. The suspension is cooled, filtered throughfilter aid, and concentrated to an oil. This crude oil is purified byflash chromatography on silica gel with 30:20:1 (ethylacetate:methanol-ammonium hydroxide) as eluent to give 5.48 g of(±)-cis-1,1-dimethylethyl6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate (98.2 area %) as aclear oil which hardens after time.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.0-1.2 (m, 1H), 1.22 (s, 3H), 1.31 (s, 12H),1.35-1.45 (m, 1H), 1.77 (brS, 2H), 2.15 (dd, 1H, J =15.1 Hz, J =6.2 Hz),2.29 (dd, 1H, J=15.1 Hz, J =7.0 Hz), 2.66 (t, 2H, J =6.6 Hz), 3.82 (m,1H), 4.12 (m, 1H).

¹³ C-NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz) δ 19.56, 27.92, 29.96, 36.43, 38.18, 39.65,42.55, 66.03, 67.16, 80.19, 98.32, 169.80.

GC/MS m/e 258, 216, 215, 202, 200, 142, 113, 100, 99, 72, 57, 43.

FTIR (neat) 951.6, 1157.4, 1201.1, 1260.3, 1314.3, 1368.3, 1381.2,1728.4, 2361.1, 2939.8, 2980.9 cm⁻¹.

Step C: Preparation ofTrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

A solution of 0.79 g (2.89 mmol) of (±)-cis-1,1-dimethylethyl6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate and 1.00 g (2.41mmol) of(±)-4-fluoro-α-2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N,β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamidemixture of [R-(R*,R*)], [R-(R*,S*)], S-(R*,R*)] and S-(R*,S*)] isomersin 15 mL of heptane:toluene (9:1) is heated at reflux for 24 hours. Thesolution is cooled and poured into 100 mL of tetrahydrofuran and 50 mLof saturated ammonium chloride in water. The layers are separated andthe organic layer washed with brine. To the organic layer is added 5 mLof 10% hydrochloric acid solution and the solution is stirred for 15hours. To this solution is added 1.2 g of sodium hydroxide and themixture is stirred for 30 hours. The reaction is stopped by adding 50 mLof water, 30 mL of hexane, and separating the layers. The aqueous layeris acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid solution, stirred for threehours and extracted with 50 mL of ethyl acetate. A drop of concentratedhydrochloric acid is added to the ethyl acetate solution and thesolution is allowed to stand 18 hours. The solution is concentrated invacuo and the concentrate is redissolved in 50 mL of ethyl acetate andtreated with one drop of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The solution isstirred two hours, concentrated in vacuo, and dissolved in 10 mL oftoluene.Trans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamideis isolated in two crops.

Method I Step A: Preparation of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-(2-cyanomethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate

Either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-6-(cyanomethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid (3.07g, 11.75 mmol) is dissolved in 15 mL of dichloromethane, cooled to 0° C.and 0.1 g of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) added, followed by t-butylalcohol, followed by 2.91 g of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC). Thissolution is allowed to slowly warm to room temperature and stirred overa 16.5-hour period. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) shows mainlyproduct, and some slightly lower Rf by-products. The mixture is stirredone hour and 50 mL of dichloromethane is added, and stirring iscontinued for five hours. An additional 100 mL of diethyl ether is addedand then filtered. The precipitate is washed with diethyl ether. Thefiltrate is concentrated to an oil. The crude product is chromatographedon silica gel eluting with 4:1 hexane:ethyl acetate. The eluate isconcentrated to yield either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-(2-cyanomethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate.

GC/MS m/e 260, 244, 202, 138, 107, 105, 77, 57, 41.

Step B: Preparation of either (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or (±)-(2α, 4β, 6β)1,1-dimethylethyl 6-(2-aminoethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate

A solution of 1.72 g of either (±)-(260 ,4α,6α) or (±)-(2α, 4β,6β)-1,1-dimethylethyl 6-(cyanomethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate in30 mL of methanol saturated with gaseous ammonia is treated with 0.3 gof Raney nickel #30 and hydrogen gas in a shaker at 50 pounds per squareinch gage (psig) and 40° C. After 10 hours, thin layer chromatographyindicates no starting nitrile present. The suspension is cooled,filtered through filter aid, and concentrated to an oil. This crude oilis purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with 30:20:1 (ethylacetate:methanol: ammonium hydroxide) as eluent to give 1.56 g of either(±)-(2α,4α,6α) or (±)-(2α,4β,6β)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-(2-aminoethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate (98.2 area %) as a clearoil which hardens after time.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.2-1.9 (m, 4H) 1.44 (s, 9H), 2.03, (br,s, 2H),2.42 (dd, 1H, J =15.3 Hz, J =6.3 Hz), 2.63 (dd, 1H, J =15.3 Hz, J =7.0Hz), 2.89 (t, 2H, J =6.8 Hz), 3.97 (m, 1H), 4.26 (m, 1H), 5.56 (s, 1H),7.3-7.4 (m, 3H), 7.4-7.5 (m, 2H).

¹³ C NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz) δ 28.07, 36.57, 38.23, 39.25, 42.17, 73.47,74.87, 80.60, 100.36, 125.82, 127.88, 128.34, 138.45, 169.73.

GC/MS, m/e 321, 320, 248, 215, 174, 142, 105, 57.

FTIR (film) 699.6, 756.2, 1026.2, 1116.2, 1149.7, 1368.3, 1394.0,1718.1, 1733.5, 2872.9, 2932.1 cm⁻¹.

Step C: Preparation ofTrans-(±)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

In a process analogous to Method H by substituting (±)-(2α,4α,6α) or(±)-(2α,4β,6β)1,1-dimethylethyl-6-(2-aminoethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate for(±)-cis-1,1-dimethylethyl6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate one obtains thetitle compound.

Method J Step A: Preparation of (±)-cis-1,1-dimethylethyl4-(cyanomethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro5.5]undecane-2-acetate

(±)-cis-4-(cyanomethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]-undecane-2-acetic acid 3.32g (13.12 mmol), is dissolved in 15 mL of dichloromethane, cooled to 0°C. and 0.1 g of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) added, followed byt-butyl alcohol, and followed by 3.25 g of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide(DCC). This solution is stirred and allowed to slowly warm to roomtemperature over a 16.5-hour period. TLC shows mainly product, and someslightly lower Rf by-product. The mixture is stirred one hour and 50 mLof dichloromethane is added and stirring continued four hours. Onehundred mL of diethyl ether is added and then filtered. The filtrate isconcentrated at reduced pressure. This crude concentrate ischromatographed on silica gel and eluted with 4:1 hexane:ethyl acetateto yield (±)-cis-1,1-dimethylethyl4-(cyanomethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetate.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.1-2.0 (m, 12H) 1.43 (s, 9H), 2.36 (m, 2H), 2.48(m, 2H), 4.1-4.4 (m, 2H).

¹³ C-NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz) 22.37, 22.45, 25.08, 28.15, 28.55, 35.80 ,38.57, 42.59, 64.31, 64.92, 80.76, 99.56, 116.65, 169.82.

GC/MS m/e 309 (m⁺), 266, 224, 210, 138, 120, 99, 57, 55.

FTIR (KBr) 964.5, 1149.7, 1157.4, 1332.3, 1368.3, 1712.9, 2939.8 cm⁻¹.

Step B: Preparation of (±)-cis-1,1-dimethylethyl4-(2-aminoethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetate

A solution of 1.19 g of (±)-cis-1,1-dimethylethyl4-(cyanomethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetate in 30 mL ofmethanol saturated with gaseous ammonia is treated with 0.3 g of Raneynickel #30 and hydrogen gas in a shaker at 60 pounds per square inchgage (psig) and 40° C. After 22 hours, thin layer chromatographyindicates no starting nitrile present. The suspension is cooled,filtered through filter aid, and concentrated to an oil. This crude oilis purified by silica gel flash chromatography (30:20:1; ethylacetate:methanol:ammonium hydroxide) to give 1.18 g of(±)-cis-1,1-dimethylethyl 4-(2-aminoethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetate as a clear oil which solidifiesupon standing.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.2-2.0 (m, 12H), 1.43 (s, 9H), 2.34, (m, 2H),2.50 (br.s, 2H), 2.84 (t, 2H, J=6.7 Hz), 3.99 (m, 1H), 4.28 (m, 1H).

GC/MS, m/e 313, 270, 214, 185, 144, 142, 99.

FTIR (film) 961.9, 1098.2, 1154.8, 1368.3, 1725.8, 2934.6 cm⁻¹.

Step C: Preparation ofTrans-(±)-5(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

In a process analogous to Method H by substituting(±)-cis-1,1-dimethylethyl4-(2-aminoethyl)-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-2-acetate for(±)-cis-1,1-dimethylethyl6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate one obtains thetitle compound.

EXAMPLE 3(2R-Trans-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamideMethod A Step A: Preparation of (R)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-cyano-5-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-3-oxohexanoate

(R)-4-cyano-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-oxy]butanoic acid, 32g (0.132 mol), is dissolved in 300 mL of tetrahydrofuran. The solutionis cooled to -20° C. and carbonyldiimidazole, 27 g (0.165 mol), isadded. The solution is stirred and allowed to warm to 25° C. over twohours. The solution is added to a slurry of potassium 1,1-dimethylethylmalonate (half ester, half salt), 60 g (0.3 mol), anhydrous magnesiumchloride, 27.2 g (0.246 mol), diisopropylethylamine, 53 mL (0.3 mol) in700 mL of dry acetonitrile. The mixture is stirred at 5° C. for 18 hoursand at 15° C. for 108 hours. The mixture is poured into a mixture of 1 Lof 1N hydrochloric acid and 1 L of ethyl acetate and the resultingtwo-phase system is stirred for 15 minutes. The layers are separated.The organic layer is washed with 500 mL of saturated salt solution andconcentrated to yield an oil. The oil consists of (R)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-cyano-5[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-3-oxohexanoate and some1,1-dimethylethyl malonate (half ester, half acid) that is used directlyin Step B. The oil has acceptable NMR spectra after subtracting therecovered malonate spectra.

Step B: Preparation of (R)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-cyano-5-hydroxy-3-oxo-hexanoate

A solution of crude (R)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-cyano-5-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-3-oxohexanoate, 43 g(0.126 mol) in 350 mL of tetrahydrofuran is treated with 213 mL oftetrabutylammonium fluoride solution (1.0M in hexane). The resultingmixture is stirred for five hours, at 25° C. The mixture is treated with500 mL of water, 300 mL of diethyl ether is added, and the layersseparated. The organic layer is dried (magnesium sulfate) and thenfiltered through a plug of silica gel with the aid of anhydrous diethylether. The solvent is removed under a vacuum to obtain 21 g of crude(R)-1,1-dimethylethyl 6-cyano-5-hydroxy-3-oxohexanoate with acceptableNMR, MS and IR spectra.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.48 (s, 9H), 2.62 (m, 2H), 2.89 (d, 2H, J=6.1),3.43 (s, 2H), 4.41 (pentet, 2H, J=6.1 Hz)

¹³ C-NMR (CDCl₃, 50 mHz) δ 25.05, 27.86, 48.03 , 50.81, 63.39, 82.43,117.03, 165.84, 202.03.

MS (Chemical ionization) m/e 228, 200, 172, 154.

FTIR (KBr) 1114.5, 1327.2, 1370.9, 1715.5, 1733.5, 2253.1, 2934.26,2980.9, 3459.3 cm⁻¹.

Step C: Preparation of [R-(R*,R*)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-cyano-3,5-dihydroxyhexanoate

Crude (R)-1,1-dimethylethyl 6-cyano-5-hydroxy-3-oxohexanoate, 21 g(0.0924 mol), is dissolved in 940 mL of tetrahydrofuran and 190 mL ofmethanol under a nitrogen atmosphere. This solution is cooled to -85° C.and 95 mL of a 15% solution of methoxydiethylborane in tetrahydrofuranis added. The reaction is cooled to -97°0 C. and 6.5 g (0.172 mol) ofsodium borohydride is added in 0.5 g portions over 1.5 hours. Thereaction is maintained between -93° C. and -97° C. for 13 hours andallowed to warm to room temperature and stand for 60 hours under anitrogen atmosphere. The reaction is quenched by the addition of 25 mL(0.359 mol) acetic acid and concentrated by vacuum distillation to anoil. The residue is dissolved with 500 mL methanol, concentrated byvacuum distillation, redissolved with 500 mL methanol and reconcentratedby vacuum distillation to give a dark brown oil. This oil is taken up in500 mL of ethyl acetate and filtered through a plug of silica gel withthe aid of 250 mL ethyl acetate. The solution is evaporated to give 15 gof crude [R-(R*,R*)]-1,1-dimethylethyl 6-cyano-3,5-dihydroxyhexanoatewhich is used without further purification.

Step D: Preparation of (4R-cis)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-cyanomethyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate

Crude [R-(R*,R*)]-1,1-dimethylethyl 6-cyano-3,5-dihydroxyhexanoate, 15 g(61 mol), is dissolved in 150 mL of 2,2-dimethoxypropane,camphorsulfonic acid is added, and the solution is stirred for 18 hoursat room temperature. Concentration and flash chromatography afterconcentration in vacuo provides6-cyanomethyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate as an off-white solid,mp 64.7°-68° C. with acceptable IR, NMR, C-NMR and analysis.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.36 (m, 1H), 1.42 (s, 3H), 1.49 (s, 9H), 1.50 (s,3H), 1.79 (dt, 1H, J=2.5 Hz, J=12.1 Hz), 2.40 (dd, 1H, J=6.2 Hz, J=15.4Hz), 2.5-2.7 (m, 1H), 2.55 (d, 2H, J=6.1 Hz), 4.18 (m, 1H, 4.32 (m, 1H).

¹³ C-NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz), δ 19.74, 25.09, 28.24, 29.88, 35.58, 42.50,65.20, 65.81, 80.87, 99.48, 116.68, 169.75.

GC/MS m/e 254, 198, 154, 138, 120, 59, 57, 43, 41.

FTIR (KBr) 941.4, 1116.2, 1154.8, 1188.3, 1257.7, 1293.7, 1309.1,1368.3, 1725.8, 2361.1, 2983.5, 2996.4 cm⁻¹.

Step E: Preparation of (4R-cis)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate

A solution of (4R-cis)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-cyanomethyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate, 5.63 g (0.048 mol), in100 mL of methanol saturated with gaseous ammonia is treated with 0.5 gof Raney nickel #30 and hydrogen gas in a shaker at 50 psi and 40° C.After 16 hours, thin layer chromatography indicates no starting nitrilepresent. The suspension is cooled, filtered through filter aid, andconcentrated to an oil. This crude oil is purified by flashchromatography on silica gel with 30:30:1 (ethylacetate:methanol:ammonium hydroxide) as eluent to give 4.93 g of(4R-cis)-1,1dimethylethyl6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate (98.2 area %) as aclear oil with acceptable IR, NMR, C-NMR and MS spectra.

200 MHz NMR (CDCl₃) 1.0-1.2 (m, 1H), 1.22 (s, 3H), 1.31 (s, 12H),1.35-1.45 (m, 3H), 2.15 (dd, 1H, J=15.1 Hz, J=6.2 Hz), 2.29 (dd, 1H,J=15.1 H, J=7.0 Hz), 2.66 (t, 2H, J=6.6 Hz), 3.82 (m, 1H), 4.12 (m, 1H).

¹³ C-NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz) δ 19.60, 27.96, 30.00, 36.50, 38.25, 39.79,42.61, 66.08, 67.18, 80.21, 98.35, 169.82.

GC/MS m/e 202, 200, 173, 158, 142, 140, 114, 113, 100, 99, 97, 72, 57.

FTIR (neat) 951.6, 1159.9, 1201.1, 1260.3, 1314.3, 1368.3, 1381.2,1731.0, 2870.3, 2939.8, 2980.9, 3382.2 cm⁻¹.

Step F: Preparation of (4R-cis)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-[2[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-yl]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate

A solution of (4-cis)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate, 1.36 g (4.97 mol),and(±)-4-fluoro-α-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N,β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamidemixture of [R-(R*,R*)], [R-(R*,S*)], [S-(R*,R*)] and [S-R*,S*)] isomers,1.60 g (3.83 mol), in 50 mL of heptane:toluene (9:1) is heated at refluxfor 24 hours. The solution is cooled slightly and 15 mL of 2-propanoladded. The mixture is allowed to cool to 25° C. and filtered to give1.86 g of (4R-cis)-1,1-dimethylethyl6-[2[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetateas a yellow solid with acceptable PNMR & C-NMR spectra.

¹ H-NMR (CDCl₃, 200 MHz), δ 1-1.7 (m, 5H), 1.30 (s, 3H), 1.36 (s, 3H),1.43 (s, 9H), 1.53 (d, 6H, J=7.1 Hz), 2.23 (dd, 1H, J=15.3 Hz, J=6.3Hz), 2.39 (dd, 1H, J=15.3 Hz, J=6.3 Hz), 3.5-3.9 (m, 3H), 4.0-4.2 (m,2H), 6.8-7.3 (m, 14H).

¹³ C-NMR (CDCl₃, 50 MHz), δ 19.69, 21.60, 21.74, 26.12, 27.04, 28.12,29.95, 36.05, 38.10, 40.89, 42.54, 65.92, 66.46, 80.59, 98.61, 115.00,115.34, 115.42, 119.52, 121.78, 123.36, 126.44, 128.21, 128.31, 128.52,128.75, 130.43, 133.01, 133.17, 134.69, 138.38, 141.47, 159.72, 164.64,169.96.

Step G: Preparation of(2R-trans)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

(4R-cis))1,1-dimethylethyl6-[2[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate,4.37 g (6.68 mol), is dissolved in 200 mL of tetrahydrofuran and 15 mLof 10% hydrochloric acid solution is added, and the solution is stirredfor 15 hours. To this solution is added sodium hydroxide (3.6 g) and themixture is stirred for 30 hours. The reaction is stopped by adding 150mL of water, 90 mL of hexane, and separating the layers. The aqueouslayer is acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid solution, stirred forthree hours and extracted with 150 mL of ethyl acetate. A drop ofconcentrated hydrochloric acid is added to the ethyl acetate solutionand the solution is allowed to stand 18 hours. The solution isconcentrated in vacuo and the concentrate is redissolved in 50 mL ofethyl acetate and treated with one drop of concentrated hydrochloricacid. The solution is stirred two hours, concentrated in vacuo, anddissolved in 3.0 mL of toluene.(2R-trans)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide(3.01 g) is isolated in two crops.

Method B

A solution of (4R-cis)-1,1dimethylethyl6-(2aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetate, 2.56 g (9.36 mol),and(±)-4-fluoro-α-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N,δ-diphenylbenzenebutaneamidemixture of [R-(R*,R*)], [R-(R*,S*)], [S-(R*,R*)] and [S-(R*,S*)]isomers, 3.00 g (7.20 mol), in 60 mL of heptane:toluene (9:1) is heatedat reflux for 24 hours. The solution is cooled and poured into 300 mL oftetrahydrofuran and 150 mL of saturated ammonium chloride in water. Thelayers are separated and the organic layer is added to 15 mL of 10%hydrochloric acid solution and the solution is stirred for 15 hours. Tothis solution is added sodium hydroxide (3.6 g) and the mixture isstirred for 30 hours. The reaction is stopped by adding 150 mL of water,90 mL of hexane, and separating the layers. The aqueous layer isacidified with dilute hydrochloric acid solution, stirred for threehours and extracted with 150 mL of ethyl acetate. A drop of concentratedhydrochloric acid is added to the ethyl acetate solution and thesolution is allowed to stand 18 hours. The solution is concentrated invacuo and the concentrate is redissolved in 50 mL of ethyl acetate andtreated with one drop of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The solution isstirred two hours, concentrated in vacuo, and dissolved in 3.0 mL oftoluene.(2R-trans)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2yl)-ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide(2.92 g) is isolated in two crops.

PREPARATION OF STARTING MATERIALS Example A1-(4-Fluorophenyl)1,4-hexanedione

A mixture of 36.61 g (295 mmol) of 4-fluorobenzaldehyde, 25 g (297.2mmol) of ethyl vinyl ketone, 29 mL (206.9 mmol) of triethylamine and11.94 g (44.25 mmol) of 3-benzyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazoliumchloride is stirred and heated at 70° C. for six hours. The cooledsolution is diluted with 2 liters of diethylether and washed with 2×300mL of water, 2×100 mL of 2M hydrochloric acid, 100 mL of water, 200 mLof a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate and brine. The organiclayer is separated, dried (magnesium sulfate), filtered, andconcentrated to provide 55 g of 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,4-hexanedione afterrecrystallization from methanol; mp 56°-57° C.

Example B 4-Methyl-3-oxo-N-phenylpentanamide

A three-necked, 12-L round-bottom flask equipped with a mechanicalstirrer, a thermometer and set up for distillation is charged with 2.6 Lof toluene, 1.73 kg (12 mol) of methyl 4-methyl-3-oxopentanoate and 72 g(1.18 mol) of ethylene diamine. The mixture is heated to 80° C. andcharged with 0.49 kg of aniline. The mixture is brought to reflux anddistillation started. After 40 minutes a further 0.245 kg of aniline ischarged and at 40 minute intervals a further two portions of aniline(0.245 and 0.25 kg) are charged. Distillation is continued for a furtherone to five hours until a total of 985 mL of solvent is removed. Thesolution is stirred at room temperature for 16 hours an a further 550 mLof solvent is removed by vacuum distillation (using approximately 85 mmHg). The mixture is cooled and 2 L of water is charged to provide anoil. The mixture is warmed to 40° C. and a further 1.0 L of water ischarged. Seven hundred milliliters of toluene-water mixture is removedby vacuum distillation (approximately 20 mm Hg). Two liters of water ischarged and the mixture is allowed to stand for 10 days. The product isisolated by filtration and washed with three portions of hexane. Dryingin vacuo gives 1.7 g of 4-methyl-3-oxo-N-phenylpentanamide as a hydrate;mp 46.5°-58.8° C.

HPLC: 98.8%--retention time 3.56 min. 65/35 acetonitrile/water on a drybasis.

VPC: 87.6%--retention time 12.43 min. also 10.8% aniline(decomposition).

We claim:
 1. A compound of Formula II ##STR48## wherein R₁ is1-naphthyl,2-naphthyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, norbornenyl, phenyl, phenylsubstituted withfluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxyl, trifluoromethyl,alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms, alkoxy of from one to fourcarbon atoms, or alkanoyloxy of from two to eight carbon atoms, benzyl,2-, 3-, or 4-pyridinyl, or 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridinyl-N-oxide; R₂ or R₃ isindependentlyhydrogen, alkyl of from one to six carbon atoms,cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, phenylsubstituted withfluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxyl, trifluoromethyl,alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms, or alkoxy of from one to fourcarbon atoms, cyano, trifluoromethyl, or --CONR₅ R₆ where R₅ and R₆ areindependentlyhydrogen, alkyl of from one to six carbon atoms, phenyl,phenyl substituted with fluorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl; R₄isalkyl of from one to six carbon atoms, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or trifluoromethyl; R₇ and R₈ are independentlyhydrogen, alkyl of from one to three carbon atoms, phenyl or R₇ and R₈are taken together as --(CH₂)_(n) --, wherein n is 4 or 5; and R₉ isalkyl of from one to eight carbon atoms, a three- to six-memberedcycloalkyl group, or α,α-dimethylbenzyl.
 2. A compound according toclaim 1 wherein R₇ and R₈ are methyl, R₉ is tertiary butyl, and the twooptically active centers are R.
 3. A compound according to claim 1wherein R₁ is 4-fluorophenyl, R₂ and R₃ are hydrogen, R₄ is ethyl, R₇and R₈ are methyl, and R₉ is isopropyl.
 4. A compound according to claim1 wherein R₁ is 4-fluorophenyl, R₂ is phenyl, R₃ is C₆ H₅ NHCO--, R₄ isisopropyl, R₇ and R₈ are methyl, and R₉ si tertiary butyl.
 5. A compoundaccording to claim 4 wherein the two optically active centers are R.